Kinsale harbour - a history

Nestling on the River Bandon, Kinsale emerged as a settlement in the sixth century and has seen many changes. Its deep, secure harbor provided a safe anchorage and prospered during the seventeenth century's `golden age of sail'. Its military forts and naval base protected against the threat of foreign invasion, as well as pirates and smugglers who were rampant on the coast. Its bustling waterfront was thronged with fishermen in the nineteenth century and today is filled with tourists and yachting enthusiasts. This is a comprehensive overview of Kinsale's seafaring tradition. With full color illustrations.