Kinsale: A town that harbours a rich maritime history

Very few Irish destinations have had the dramatic history of Kinsale. Dan McCarthy looks at the history of the town, from the maritime to

FEW Irish towns or cities have the dramatic history of Kinsale. Not least was the watershed Battle of Kinsale, when the English defeated an Irish army in 1601, resulting in the Flight of the Earls. Kinsale has long been a home to artists, soldiers and assorted salty sea dogs, who have washed up on her shores over the years.

Two new books on Kinsale’s nautical history bring much of this drama to the surface.