Kinsale

Kinsale is a coastal village near Cork that is known for its food!  It was in Kinsale that we discovered the delicious Irish soda bread that we stuffed into our faces throughout our trip.  Also the previously mentioned fish chowder which, in Kinsale, was full of chunks of fish and shrimp and mussels.  YUM.

Obviously with all that driving and eating it was necessary that we also move a little bit, so after a particularly delicious and decadent breakfast at the Old Presbytery, we headed out for a walk to Fort Charles in Summer Cove on the beautiful Kinsale Bay.  

Despite their constant whining and complaining, this was a walk that the girls could do pretty easily. The path up to the Fort starts in the streets, but then becomes a car free path along the bay, with only a couple of 'cardiac hills.' 

There had been some rain in the morning, but it was sunny and we were all smiles as we headed out on our hike up to Fort Charles!

The beginning of the pedestrian only path (and minor whining) started at Scilley.

Kinsale Harbour foliage included some very spiky cactus-like plants...which obviously were irresistible.

There were also ample opportunities for pretty pictures with the harbour as a backdrop:

Being out of the car and walking to the Fort brought out the best in everyone! (except those who were whining).

Charles Fort is a 'star fort' (built in a star shape) that was built in the 1600s.  We walked across a wooden bridge over what may have been a moat.  It was very romantic.

Inside the fort (which was burned by anti-Treaty forces during the Irish civil war in 1922), were the remains of turrets, living quarters and ammunition storage rooms...as well as lots of green grass for running and cartwheel turning!  There were only a few cliff-like drop offs which we stayed away from.

Family picture in the ammunition store room:

Some views from the fort:

These were the living quarters.  The wives of those soldiers who were allowed to marry had to live in the quarters with the men and the couple only were given a sheet for privacy.  She also was expected to cook and clean for the soldiers as a way to pay her keep. Dire.

It was at Charles Fort that the first signs of family exasperation began to show with certain members of the family impatiently stomping out of the big, fancy main house in the fort and into the rain while other members of the family stayed back to deal with hungry and tired children.  But after lunch and a trudge back to the B&B we all cheered up again.

For dinner we headed to the famous (and, in our opinion, overrated) restaurant Fishy Fishy.  The fish chowder had a curry flavor which we were not fans of.  I can't remember what I got, but Evie enjoyed her mussels and Millie denied her vegetables.  The restaurant was filled with Americans from a tour bus, so it was loud!  And, after a minor meltdown, the girls and I retired to the nearby playground and missed dessert...which was unfortunate because it was creme brulee.

After dinner I was full and worn out, but Jim and Dad went out for some Guiness and some local music.

It was hard to leave Kinsale...and we debated staying on longer, but after another delicious breakfast and friendly goodbyes from the owners of the Old Presbytery we packed into the giant van and headed on our way to Killarney and Bedford.