Maritime Walk
The Maritime Walk takes you beside the harbour waters, from Kinsale Town Centre to the historic ruins of James Fort.
From the Kinsale Tourist Office head along the water away from town. down the Pier Road. In the 19th century Kinsale was crowded with piers and quays which crossed the line of the present, much newer, road at right angles. The ends of some of these quays can still be seen at the water’s edge.
The harbour was a busy place for traders and fishermen, many using traditional craft known as Kinsale Hookers. The Pier Road was built in the late 19th century and is still used by local fishermen as well as by leisure craft and commercial vessels.
Along the road you will notice memorials to those who lost their lives at sea. Across the harbour the village of Scilly can be seen. Originally this was a fishing village and may have been named by the original inhabitants, many of whom originated from the Scilly Isles off Cornwall.
Further on is the thriving Kinsale Yacht Club, based in a fine 18th century house which originally belonged to Lord Kingsale. The marina is often filled with the yachts of members and visitors alike. And shortly beyond that, at the end of the Pier Road is the Trident Hotel, built on the site of the Royal Navy Dockyards which catered for naval ships until the 19th century.
The road turns right, then bears left at the junction. Continue along the road and turn left over the bridge. The water flowing under the bridge comes from the River Bandon which travels through Bandon and Innishannon before entering the sea at Kinsale. It was an important trading route in the past and was navigable for about 12km upstream of the town. Prior to the construction of a bridge over the river, ferries carried passengers and goods across the water from nearby Carraigin.
Notice the ruins of Ringrone Castle on the far side of the estuary, strategically located high up on the right hand side. It was built about 1223 by Miles de Courcy, a member of a prominent Anglo-Norman family who feuded for centuries with the native Maccarthys. Fineen, one of the most successful MacCarthy leaders, was killed when attacking Ringrone in 1261.
At the end of the bridge turn left and walk to Castlepark, go to the end of the village and turn right up the narrow opening between houses. Then turn left up the hill to James Fort.
James Fort is located on a small peninsula jutting out into Kinsale harbour. It commanded magnificent views in all directions, vital for its strategic defense.
Known as Castlepark this peninsula, with walled fortification and two towers in its centre, was occupied by the Spanish allies of the Irish forces before the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. The Spanish troops surrendered to the English. Recognized the tremendous strategic position the castle commanded they soon erected James Fort. Completed in 1604 the five sided fort surrounded the renovated castle and was linked by a covered way to the mid-16th century blockhouse on the waterfront. The construction of Charles Fort in 1680s on the opposite side of the harbour rendered James Fort obsolete. King James II landed at the fort in 1689 and left from there in 1690 after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne, the leading theory as to why the fort would be named James.
The fort was not repaired after 1690. It is now a National Monument and is in the process of restoration.
The walk ends at James Fort. To return to Kinsale either retrace this route or avail of the ferry service which runs during the summer months between Castlepark and Kinsale.
