Southwest Ireland: Day 7th, Kinsale & Charles Fort
KINSALE & CHARLES FORT
Would you like to know what we do on 7th day in our Travelling Programme South and Western Ireland?! We are gonna tell you! As we don’t have classes during the weekend, we enjoy this extra time by visiting some of the most interesting attractions in the South. So, let’s imagine that you are participating in our travelling programme… You will wake up in the gothic city of Cork around 9 am, and you will have a very nice Irish breakfast to start the day of with energy! Firstly, you will go to Blarney Castle with your group. There, you will visit the gardens, the lake, and you will go to the top of the castle to kiss the stone and get the gift of the eloquence! Read our post about Blarney Castle* Then, you will visit one of the largest military forts in the country, Charles Fort. We are going to explain you a little bit more about this star-shaped military fortress. Look the beautiful picture!: It was constructed between 1677 and 1682, during the reign of King Charles II, to protect the town and harbour of Kinsale in County Cork. William Robinson, architect of the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham Dublin, and Superintendent of Fortifications, is credited with designing the fort. 
Picture: one of our groups of students Charles Fort has been associated with some of the most momentous events in Irish history. These include the Williamite War in 1690 and the Irish Civil War of 1922 – 23. Charles Fort remained garrisoned by the British army until 1922.
Picture: door entrance Charles Fort.
Why a star shaped?
In the fifteenth century the traditional castles, with circular towers, had proved extremely vulnerable to the guns, so the Italian trace was designed with military fortifications in star shape, style introduced against the French attacks at the end of this century knowing that the artillery assault would find easy points on the high walls of the medieval buildings. To counteract the power of new weapons, defensive walls were made lower and wider and bastions offered the possibility of a crossfire that toppled rivals rose. Take a star fort supposed pre-plan a site that deprive refugees outside help and put a gun battery which, after numerous shots, opening a breach in the wall making it possible to enter into infantry combat. This mission should have involved a considerable number of soldiers to be effective but it dramatically increased the cost of war.
Our groups of students always have a guided visit to know more about the history of the fort and the things that happened there. If you don’t have the chance to come with us, you can visit any time of the year. Opening times: November – Mid March: Daily 10.00 – 17.00 Mid March – October: 10.00 – 18.00. Last admission: 1 hour before closing Average Length of Visit: 1 Hour
Students group. Travelling Languages
Kinsale
Kinsale is a historic port and a fishing town in County Cork, which also has significant military history. Located 25 km away south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months.
After we visit the fort we stop in this nice village to eat its famous seafood and have a stroll around.
Our students visiting Kinsale Kinsale is a popular holiday resort for Irish and overseas tourists. Leisure activities include yachting, sea angling, and golf. The town is compact with a quaint air of antiquity in the narrow streets. There is a large yachting marina close to the town centre. 
Picture: Kinsale harbour The town is known for its restaurants, and holds an annual « Gourmet Festival ». Chef Keith Floyd was previously a resident of Kinsale.
This visit is not the end of the day! The following visit, is to the Killarney National Park. But we will tell you about this stunning place in other occasion. Friendly reminder: we have still available our SUMMER OFFER 3X2!!! Check it here and book your travelling programme before places will be gone!
