This is my first trip out of the country and need some advice on things to do around Kinsale. We will arrive on July 13th and stay for the week. A friend gave me a free 7 night stay at Kinsale/Harbor penthouse on Pier Rd. in Kinsale. My friends and I of course want to see the top tourist attractions, but also love beer and gambling. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best island tours, horseback riding on the beach, pubs, gambling places? Also, if you wouldn't mind posting the top must see sites/day trips around Kinsale. Thanks for all your help. We do have a driver which is another reason I need to have a scheduled plan to give him on the days we will leave Kinsale to sight see :)
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I think that you will want a guidebook, even for this short trip, or to get some from the library and copy relevant pages. Outside Kinsale, the town of Cobh is a worth a daytrip, with Titanic museum, and you could also stop at the Old Midleton Distillery, next town over. To the west, your driver can take you to Dromberg Stone Circle and explore the coastline. Blarney Castle is not one of our favorite sites, but it's within striking distance.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
How many of the days do you have a driver?
Posted by
40 posts
Check out : Kinsale.ie
Posted by
TN, USA
2163 posts
While it's a bit of a drive, you could reasonably get to the Rock of Cashel and back in a day. And in a full day, you could also make it to Dingle and back.
If you are flying in and out of Shannon, depending on how well you bounce back from international flights, you could also check out the Bunratty Folk Park which is in Bunratty, not too far from the Shannon Airport.
If you know who your driver will be, you could also ask him/her for recommendations, based on what might interest you.
Even though you have a free place to stay, if you do not anticipate getting back to Ireland again, it might be worth paying for a night or two of accommodations outside Kinsale, just so you can see a bit more of Ireland, too......traveling in a loop around the western section, then you could head back to Kinsale again.
Posted by
1531 posts
bunratty folk park is wonderful!! can be all day if you choose..........