Historic town

The National Monuments Service's description

On or near site of early Christian monastery (CO112-085----); established as trading post by Vikings (Jefferies 1986, 34) and settled by Anglo-Normans c. 1200 (Garner 1980, 1). Received first charter relatively late in 1333-4; murage grant to repair town walls in 1348 (CO112-03402-); market grant of 1226 seems to confirm presence of town at that date (Thomas 1992, 138). Town was 'of little importance throughout the medieval period' (Garner ibid) but featured in siege during Battle of Kinsale in 1601 (Mulcahy 1968, 54-67). Town's defences strengthened in 17th century by construction of James Fort (CO112-036---) in 1604 and Charles Fort in 1670 (CO125-007---),but taken by Williamite forces in 1690 (Mulcahy ibid, 30) when much damage done to town walls. The town continued to grow and prosper to some extent in 18th and 19th centuries, with a heavy reliance on the fishing industry (Gillen and Hurley 1978, 11).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

References

Mulcahy, M. 1968 A short history of Kinsale. Cork Historical Guide Committee.

Gillen, E. and Hurley, F. 1978 Round and about Kinsale and the Gourcies. Kinsale. Privately published.

Garner, W. 1980 Kinsale: architectural heritage. Dublin. An Foras Forbartha.

Thomas, A. 1992 The walled towns of Ireland, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.