Activities - There's a wide variety of choice in Kinsale. Details of some of them are:

Sailing The coast south west of Kinsale provides some of the best cruising grounds in Europe. Kinsale Yacht Club has been well established as a significant sailing centre for nearly twenty years. Blue Flag marina facilities are available for visiting boats both off the Pier Road, and at Castlepark outside the town. Kinsale Yacht Club http://www.kyc.ie/ Sail Ireland Charters - provide day sails on luxury yachts http://www.sailireland.com/ Harbour Trips One hour harbour cruises available aboard the new luxury vessel Spirit of Kinsale out to the harbour entrance and up the Bandon river. Commentary, music, bar and snacks. Enclosed lower deck with carpeted, deluxe lounge and open air top deck. Available for coach groups and private charters - 50 passenger capacity. Adults €8, children under 12 €4, children under 7 free. Operated by Kinsale Harbour Cruises. Telephone 477 3188 or 087 227 2319. Web: http://www.kinsaleharbourcruises.com/

Sailing past Charles Fort

Golf
Ringenane, Kinsale - Two miles from Kinsale off the Cork road, operated by Kinsale Golf Club, Ringenane is a 9-hole course. Green fees €17 per round, societies €14, green fee with a member €14, juniors €7. Telephone 477 2197.
Farrangalway, Kinsale - Home of Kinsale Golf Club, Farrangalway is an 18-hole parkland course. Green fees Mon-Thu €30, Fri-Sun €40, bank and public holidays €40. Early Bird €20 per round before 10 am mid-week. Green fees with member €14, Juniors €7. Lesson available from professional Ger Broderick. Telephone to check availability especially at weekends - 477 3258. Professional's Shop 477 3258
Old Head Golf Links - Spectacular 18-hole links course on the Old Head of Kinsale five miles from the town centre. Green fees 18 hole €250, 36 holes €420, 36 holes plus lunch €435. Details from info@oldheadgolf.ie. Full bar and restaurant facilities, extensive professionals shop. Essential to make advance booking. Telephone 477 8444. Web: www.oldheadgolflinks.com

Fishing/Angling
Along the coast of Kinsale are many fine spots for fishing. The deep harbour allows access at all stages of the tide, and the fishing grounds are only a short steaming time from port. For a number of years Kinsale has been an important deep sea angling centre, and blue shark are a speciality of the town. The wreck of the Lusitania lying 11.5 miles from the Old Head of Kinsale is an excellent and very popular angling mark. Game angling for salmon and trout is available on the Bandon River. There are some good shore angling marks from the rocks on the Old Head of Kinsale and the new bridge in Kinsale is a favourite spot at certain stages of the tide.

Kinsale Angling Co-op offers three skippered deep-sea angling boats, fullly equipped with rods, reels, lures and all modern safety and technical equipment including side-scanning sonar. The Co-op has a large, centrally located guesthouse, self-catering apartments and a fishing tackle shop. Boat seats start at €31.75 - advance reservation recommended. Visit www.kinsale-angling.com or telephone 477 4946 for more information.
Sea angling trips can also be organised by Wilhem van Dyk Tel: 477 8944 or 087 988 2839 Arthur Long: Tel 477 8969 - visit http://www.activeireland.com/kinsaleoffshore or email offshoreangling@eircom.net.

Cycle and Rod Hire Explore the Kinsale area on a bike - mountain bikes, kid's bikes, touring bikes, tandems and micro-scooters. All rates for 24 hours - bikes can be delivered to you and collected. NB in high season you must pre-book your bike! Also fishing pack hire - rod, reel, line and lures. Large selection of fishing tackle and frozen bait for sale. Group rates and long term hire rates available. The Hire Shop, Main Street (opposite the Vintage restaurant, only 2 minutes from the Tourist office), telephone 477 4884 Mobile 086 8812354 http://www.thehireshopirl.com/ or email info@thehireshopirl.com

Windsurfing and Watersports
Oysterhaven Activity Centre, Ireland's leading windsurfing centre is close to the town and a wide range of facilities are available. Windsurfers, dinghies and canoes are available for rental on an hourly basis. Sailing/windsurfing courses for adults and children, afternoons, evenings and weekends. The centre is open 10 am to 9 pm Monday to Thursday and 10 am to 7 pm Friday to Sunday. During July and August five day multiactivity courses are available for 4-17 year olds including windsurfing, kayaking, adventure trails and team challenges plus sailing in single-handed and crewed dinghies. Visitors are welcome to join in on a daily basis. Advance reservations recommended. Tennis court and racquets available for hire. Telephone 477 0738. Email: info@oysterhaven.com
Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre is based in the town of Kinsale and offers dinghy sailing, canoeing, board sailing, rock climbing, body boarding, orienteering, team challenges and archery to groups of all sizes from 6 year olds to adults all year round. Powerboating and corporate team-building days with barbecue also arranged. Expert instruction plus all specialised equipment included in the cost. Advance reservation advised. telephone 477 2896. Email: koec@indigo.ie

Horse Riding
A number of equestrian centres are located around Kinsale. In nearby Belgooly the Irish international showjumper Robert Splaine runs Coolcorran Stud Farm and Equestrian Centre. There are indoor and outdoor training facilities. Instruction available from novice to international level. You can also compete at shows in the area with one of the Coolcorran horses or your own. There are also residential equestrian/language courses. Tel: 477 1304 or 086 252 5322. Email: rsplaine@coolcorron.com Web: http://www.coolcorron.com.
Innishannon Horse Centre is another popular facility for those interested in showjumping and three day eventing, while dressage is the speciality at the Skevanish Equestrian Centre, also near Innishannon. Cross country enthusiasts will enjoy the course at Knocknamana House in Minane Bridge built by the coursebuilders of the famous Burleigh Horse Trials. Kinsale lies in the centre of the South Union Foxhunt territory, with Hunter Trials held at Fort Arthur near Kinsale in spring and autumn, and the annual Point to Point taking place on the outskirts of the town during the first weekend in June.

Follyfoot Riding Farm located six miles north of Kinsale at Riverstick. Horse riding lessons, hacking and trekking available for all age groups. All rides supervised by a BHSAI, ICES qualified instructor. One hour €13, half hour €7, trekking €20 per hour. Special group rates available. Advance booking advisable. Come and have some fun! Telephone Mary, 477 1324. Ballinadee Pony Trekking and Horse Riding Farm offers a fine selection of friendly horses and ponies with accomplished guides to lead you. The best of trekkng over rolling farmland and beautiful countryside. All levels and beginners welcome. One hour and half day treks. All weather outdoor arena, changing rooms, tea room and all riding equipment available. Telephone Philomena and Denis O'Donoghue, 477 8152. Email: claireodonoghue@eircom.net Web: www.dragnet-systems.ie/dira/riding

Claybird shooting
Just 8 miles from Kinsale is the beautiful Nohoval Cove where claybird shooting is available all year round http://www.claybird.ie/

Walking, historical visits and motor tours
The best and most exciting way of getting to know any town is to walk around it. Kinsale is a town of many small winding streets and there are also beautiful strolls along the coasts and beaches within easy reach. Walking tours of the town depart the Tourist Office daily at 11.15 in the company of a guidewho talks about the history of the town and points out many places of interest. The tour takes one hour and costs €4.50 per adult, €1.00 per child. No reservation is required. The walk is leisurely and suitable for all ages. For group reservations telephone 477 2873.
Other walking tour operators include Coastal Walking telephone 477 2642 (mountain and hill climbing), Cotters Walking Tours 477 3669, and Historical Town Tours 477 2044.
Brian O'Neill offers an exciting Ghost Tour of fun and excitement on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the summer starting from the Tap Tavern at 9 pm and lasting about one hour fifteen minutes - adults €8, children €4 - Tel 477 2240 or 087 948 0910.

Charles Fort At Summercove, Kinsale, Charles Fort is open for visitors daily from mid March to the end of October 10.00 to 18.00 - last admission 17.15. Adults €3.50, senior citizens €2.20, children and students €1.20, family tickets €7.10. The fort is a fine example of a 17th century star-shaped fort. Allow up to one hour to wander through the Fort and see the exhibition centre. Guided tours available on the hour during the summer season at no extra cost. For group reservations telephone 477 2263.

Taxi and bus tours
KCC is a new company offering sightseeing tours for smaller groups in spacious cars. Cars with guide/drivers are available from €31.75 per hour to take you to destinations in East Cork, Cork City, West Cork and Kerry. Telephone 477 7766.
Roadrunners Kinsale Sightseeing Bus Tours http://www.westcorktours.com/Tours lasting about 90 minutes depart daily from outside the tourist office in the town centre at 10.30 am, 12 noon, 1.30 pm, 3.00 pm and 4.30 pm. Fully narrated by an experienced guide - includes Ballinspittle, stunning views of the Old Head, Charlesfort, beautiful Garrettstown Beach, the majestic Bandon river, the 1601 battle site and Summercove. Returns via the coast road with wonderful views of ocean, harbour and river. Other tours available by arrangement include West Cork shire fishing, historical antiquities tours and West Cork garden tours. Email info@westcorktours.com or telephone 477 3423.

Leisure Centre
The Trident Hotel Leisure Centre is open to non-residents and non-members providing gym, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and specialising in fitness training. Open 7 days a week 9.30 to 21.30 pm. €6.35 per visit. Showers €2.60. Limited Aerobic classes in summer. Massage available by appointment. Telephone 477 2301

Pottery workshops
Beginners pottery workshops are held at Crackpots throughout the year. Courses are 2-5 days, mainly aimed at beginners from 11 years upwards. Introduction to materials and equipment, coil work, slab work, electric wheel, decorating and glazing. For further information contact Carol Norman Tel: 477 2847 Email: crackpts@iol.ie Web: http://www.dragnet-systems.ie/dira/crackpots/