Kinsale History
Headland to the Sea
The name Kinsale is derived from the Irish Ceann tSaile or Headland of the sea. The town grew and developed on an old Anglo-norman settlement founded in the 12th Century and was granted its first charter in 1334. In 1601 it witnessed the siege of the battle of Kinsale in which Gaelic forces lead by Hugh O’ Neill and Red Hugh O’Donnell fought the English forces but were overwhelmed. This lead to the complete conquest of Ireland by the English.
Headland to the Sea
Old Head of Kinsale
Fish Market Site
Old Fish Market Site
Fish Market Site
The company today known as Kinsale Bay Food Company originated on the old fish market site which was part of Long Quay in the 18th century. The old fish market site was home to maritime trade in Kinsale town. It led to generous employment in the area making it a critical part of Kinsale’s development and of Kinsale History.
Original Plaque of Kinsale
The façade was built as far back as 1784. The original walls still stands to this day having been restored by local authorities and remains the longest free-standing historical structure in Kinsale town. The heritage and tradition of the 18th-century fishing industry is still very much ingrained in this town.
Original Plaque of the Fish Market
Original wall at the Fish market site
Old Fish Dock
Pier Road
Old Fish Dock
The town at that time had a vibrant fishing, boat, and repair industry which employed in the region of 4,000 people directly in fishing and another 1,500 in the ancillary industries namely sailmaking, fishnet manufacturing, and coopering.
The Kinsale Hooker
The Kinsale Hooker
The fishing vessel used by locals was known as the Kinsale Hooker, built locally in the shipbuilding yards, many being family-owned. As the fishing industry started to decline in the late 1800s these family businesses were forced to close. Permission was then granted to the Kinsale harbour commissioners and the pier was filled in and is now known as Pier road.
A Kinsale Hooker