In terms of its history, Kinsale is perhaps best known for the Battle of 1601, a major turning point in Irish and World History which marked the end of Spanish domination of the New World and the decline of the Gaelic way of life with the Flight of the Earls to Rome.

Also of world importance was the sinking of the Lusitania off the Old Head of Kinsale in May 1915, considered a major factor in bringing the U.S. into World War One after the inquest in the Old Courthouse returned a verdict of murder against the Kaiser and the German forces.

However, there is much more to this unique town, located in a safe harbour, and in a strategic location on the trade route between Europe and North America. It was a base for the earliest settlers, the Celts, and they were followed by the Vikings, who called it the Place of the Inner Fjord, followed by the Normans and the English.

Saint Multose (also known as Eltin) established the first church and is reputed to have cursed the fortunes of the local residents, while another legend claims that Carraig Oisín on the World's End dates back to the Fianna who watched for Roman invaders at the Old Head. Eight hundred years ago the Normans built Saint Multose Church, and the DeCourcey castles at the Old Head and Ringrone, as Kinsale became a walled town.

A guided walk of Kinsale is highly recommended with the Norman Saint Multose Church, Desmond Castle and Wine Museum, the Courthouse and the star-shaped Charles Fort and James Fort being brought into fascinating focus. The exciting past is brought to life showing how woven Kinsale is within the fabric of Ireland and a considerable part of world shaping history.

Today Kinsale is one of the most fashionable resort towns in Ireland and is considered the "Gourmet Capital of Ireland" - annually hosting the world famous "Kinsale Food Festival" in October. It is a sophisticated cosmopolitan seaside town with a tourist season stretching from April to November.

The town nestles between the hills and the shoreline with a maze of narrow, flower decorated streets with historical links to the French, Spanish, British and Americans.

Today the quaint properties house everything from delightful restaurants, pubs, wine bars, antique and curio shops, jewellery shops, art galleries, beauty and hair salons, coffee shops and crafts showrooms.

There are three busy yacht marinas, an outdoor educational centre, a sports leisure centre, numerous gourmet restaurants, a multitude of pubs/bars most of which serve excellent food, four hotels, numerous boutique style bed and breakfast accommodations, a fully-staffed exclusive private residence to call your own, and some self-catering properties. It also has an internationally known deep sea-angling centre with extensive facilities and a boat charter service for those wishing to see Old Head from the water - again highly recommended.

Find more information on Kinsale at www.kinsale.ie and Kinsale Heritage Walks at www.kinsaleheritage.com