Day 7: Wednesday 21 May 2014 (Part 2)

Day 7: Timoleague and Kinsale, County Cork

Returned to Kinsale and lunched at Fishy Fishy, which had been recommended by our server at Ashe’s in Dingle. It was tasty. We then took a winding, steep drive and hiked out to Charlesfort (c. 1680), a star-shaped fort guarding the approaches to Kinsale Harbor. Very similar in design and construction to Castillo de San Marcos (1672) at St Augustine, FL, though quite a bit larger. Charlesfort was largely destroyed by fire about 1922 during the Irish Civil War.

View across the harbor toward Kinsale, enroute Charlesfort

View across the harbor toward Kinsale, enroute Charlesfort

Foliage enroute Charlesfort, Kinsale

Exterior of Charlesfort, approaching from the north

Map of Charlesfort, on the ground in the main yard

View over Kinsale inlet from the main yard, Charlesfort

View over Kinsale inlet from the main yard, Charlesfort

Main gate from inside Charlesfort

Sallyport from inside, Charlesfort

Outer walls and (modern) lighthouse, Charlesfort

Barracks building, interior of Charlesfort

Fireplace/stove inside Barracks building, interior of Charlesfort

K in barracks hallway, inside Charlesfort

Interior of the Commanding Officer’s Quarters, Charlesfort

Remains of officer’s quarters, blast wall, and armory, interior of Charlesfort

When the Fort closed us out about 6pm, we walked back down the hill to the car and back to Kinsale. Quick Guinness and Smithwick’s at Acton’s, bathed and changed, then off to a fine dinner at the White Lady Hotel restaurant. A tiny room – we were one of only 2 couples in the place, and has a nice table at the front window. A pair of T-bone steaks, a fair Côtes du Rhône, and some chocolate cake. Very nice.

Wine and cake at the White Lady, Kinsale

A decorated house on the stroll back to Acton’s, Kinsale