Day 5: Kinsale

I decided to spend two days in Kinsale based upon the strong reviews I received about it from friends Mary Jane and Ron O’Brien. I am glad I did!

Kinsale in County Cork is one of the most picturesque, popular and fashionable resorts of the south-west coast of Ireland. Famous for its harbour in Kinsale, the favorable mild climate and its safe harbour make Kinsale the ideal spot for yachting, sea angling, Dolphin & Whale Watching Trips, gourmet restaurants and golf. I was out on a boat within an hour of arriving!

Kinsale is the first city where the Wild Atlantic Way begins and I will most of it over coming days.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a sensational journey of soaring cliffs and buzzing towns and cities, of hidden beaches and epic bays. I watched some great videos on the Wild Atlantic Way and have been anticipating it will be pretty cool to do. I am especially eager to spend two days in

Ballyvaughan, which is toward the end of my Wild Atlantic Way journey and still ten days from now.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a scenic trail on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, of Ireland. The 2,500 km (1,553 mile) driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast.

The route is broken down into 5 sections.
County Donegal
County Donegal to County Mayo
County Mayo to County Clare
County Clare to County Kerry
County Kerry to County Cork

I will be going in the opposite direction than most people do. I know, what a shock! I am starting in the South and Driving North versus starting North and going South. My reasoning was so not to get behind as many tour buses, and since I will be driving on the left side of the road I will have an easy time pulling over into the scenic outlooks. I will not have time to visit County Donegal this trip but will do so for sure when I return with Mom next year.

This is the longest defined coastal drive in the world! Considered to be wild and untamed, free and unbridled, breath-taking!

I'm staying at a charming guest house in the heart of the village with a vegan/vegetarian café sharing the building. The are lots of shops, cafes, book stores, and of course, pubs.

The Old Head of Kinsale is a headland near Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland. An early lighthouse was established here in the 17th century.

I had a nice cruise through the harbor and River Bandon, saw Desmond Castle, a Carmelite Monastery, and the local Catholic church.

I ended the day finding that there are little self-serve laundries throughout Ireland conveniently located in markets and other such places.

The weather was perfect all day and many were out and about in shorts and tees. Its looking like more of the same for the next few days here in County Cork.