Kinsale

KinsaleHarbour,Anchorage0-8.50828857405278151.63220152029134Kinsale must be the envy of all the harbours on the Irish coast ....... because it has everything you could want in a harbour; the entrance is wide and clear of major dangers, the channel is deep and does not need continual dredging, the scenery is beautiful, it has prominent old forts either side of the channel and then, conveniently, it hooks round to give shelter from all weathers. All of this adds up to make this a yachtie's paradise especially as Cork's just up the road to take all the big nasty stuff. There is a down side though; everyone going to Southern Ireland for their summer cruise makes a point of going in here, you won't have the place to yourself. There are three marinas one of which is commercial (Castlepark), one belongs to the Kinsale Yacht Club and a third (Trident) which has a few visitors berths. If you do not like marinas there are quite a few anchorages but you will still have to pay harbour dues to do so - of which more later. Kinsale is a very pretty compact town with a resident population of only about 2000 people but this expands exponentially during the summer when the place is inundated with visitors both by land and sea. It has narrow winding streets and it houses much to amuse the visitor; in a way it is much like St Ives; just far enough off the beaten track to make it a bit exclusive but close enough to make it inclusive; you won't find fair ground rides and kiss-me-quick hats but you will find craft shops and good food and it will be crowded. AC 1765 Old Head of Kinsale to Power Head, AC 2053 Kinsale, SC5622, Imray C57 with plan of KinsaleHarbour Speed limit 6kts Bulman Rock 2 cables south of Preghane Point. Shallows close North of Blockhouse Point HW Kinsale is HW Cobh -0012. MHWS 3.9m MHWN 3.2m MLWN 1.4m MLWS 0.6mThe approach and entry to Kinsale is simplicity itself; AC 2053 gives clearing bearings either side of Bulman Rock and if you head 360°T from our initial fix (basically stay on line with the Charles Fort) you'll be in deep water with shallows to port marked with PHMs Kinsale Harbour works VHF #14 and you should call them in the approach. Take a wide swing round the PHMs to the North of Blockhouse Point and you will arrive in the basin off Kinsale. There are various anchorages on the way in which are marked on AC 2053; in the main they are shown well out in very deep water and you will find enough water for most 10m boats a lot closer into the coves at which they are shown.There are three marinas, ........ Kinsale Yacht Club's off the town front, Castlepark on the West side of Blockhouse Point and Trident Marina off the Trident hotel complex They all have electricity and water on the pontoons and charge for the electricity. KYC charges in bands in old money (feet) but it works out at 3.0 Euros per metre per night for a 10 metre boat and Castlepark 3.50 Euros per meter per night (though they have a week deal at 20Euros pm) In addition to these charges Kinsale Harbour charges for entry into the harbour (about 4 Euros for a 10meter vessel) whether you go to a marina or come to anchor; KYC collects this on behalf of the Harbour, the Harbour will come round and collect from the other locations. Be aware that the Harbour limits extend to include Sandy Cove on the West side of the entrance and they will collect Harbour Dues there. You should also note that Sandy Cove is a very popular stop for lunch on a weekend and gets very crowded. You may find visitors moorings in Summer Cove which have been put down for the patrons of the pub there. The Harbour also provides four visitors moorings off the Town Quay but these are not free. Castlepark Marina . One drawback here is that it is a fair way around the harbour from here to Kinsale and the ferry only operates in the afternoon. In the evening you should be prepared for a three quarters of an hour walk there and back or taxi. They are charging (2021 summer) 3.5 Euros per metre per night and do not collect the harbour dues.Trident Marina. There is talk of more marina berths being developed between Castlepark and the bridge and also inside the drying harbour to the North of the KYC Marina but these are unlikely to be in place for the 2021season. The opening of the Trident Marina to visitors increased the mooring options but we have no reports of the extra berths mentioned above. Details of the Marinas can be found on their websites and the harbour also has a very comprehensive website (see the links below for these) This tends to be an area for the fairly well heeled yachtie; if you are on a shoe string, anchoring would seem the best option. A pub visitor's buoy off Summer cove is another option but be aware that they have an a la carte menu which starts at 25 Euros for an 8 oz steak so a meal there must be balanced against marina dues and fish and chips!! As has been said water and electricity is supplied on all pontoons and all marinas have showers and toilets ashore. Diesel is available at both marinas and petrol can be obtained from a local filling station in Kinsale. The Harbour website did have a comprehensive list of repair services with their contact details but it appears to have been taken down; we are making enquiries. The nearest chandlery is in Cork but they do a daily delivery in Kinsale; if you ring them (021-4315700) in the morning and they have what you need in stock they'll have it to you by end of play that day. There is also a sailmaker here. There is a boatyard in middle cove where they have a hoist and can carry out most repairs. The town has a laundrette, supermarkets and all manner of other shops which supply provisions. Kinsale is renowned for its restaurants and pubs, has a thriving art community and abounds with little shops where you can spend your money. For some ideas of where to go in the evening try this websitehttps://www.kinsale.ie/0KinsaleChart of Kinsale Harbour (2011)Visichart of the entrance to Kinsale harbourKinsale harbour 2.Kinsale Harbour coming round BlockhouseKinsale Marina from inner harbourKinsale Harbour looking North to South with Blockhouse Fort centre LeftKinsale. Blockhouse PointKinsale Marina from the Ship Quay looking SSEKinsale. Charles' Fort east Side of entrance to KinsaleKinsale. James' Fort at Blockhouse PointKinsale. Looking south towards Blockhouse Point. Spit PHM centre leftKinsale. Money Point looking SouthKinsale Charles's Fort Looking towards KinsaleUnion Chandleryhttp://www.unionchandlery.ie/Yacht chandlery which also has a rigger and does minor servicingUnion Chandlery5 Penrose QuayMontenotteT23 PCX7CorkCo CorkIE051.9003326-8.463596Union Chandlery5 Penrose QuayMontenotteT23 PCX7CorkCo CorkIEUnion Chandleryinfo@unionchandlery.com+353 (0) 21 4554334info@unionchandlery.com+353 (0) 21 4554334C H Marinehttps://www.chmarine.comChandleryC H MarineUnit 6 Frankfield Industrial EstateFrankfield RoadT12 KA99CorkCo CorkIE051.871228-8.471964C H MarineUnit 6 Frankfield Industrial EstateFrankfield RoadT12 KA99CorkCo CorkIEC H Marineinfo@chmarine.com+353 (0)21 431 1042info@chmarine.com+353 (0)21 431 1042O'Mahony Sailmakinghttp://www.omahonysailmaking.com/International sailmaker based in KINSALEO'Mahony SailmakingBarracks LaneP17 VF97KinsaleCo CorkIE051.7081564-8.5156492O'Mahony SailmakingBarracks LaneP17 VF97KinsaleCo CorkIEO'Mahony Sailmakinginfo@omahonysailmaking.com+353 (0)21 4709409info@omahonysailmaking.com+353 (0)21 4709409Castlepark Marinahttp://www.castleparkmarina.com/Marina DIESEL SUPPLIERCastlepark MarinaCastleparkP17 XY67KinsalCo CorkIE051.6971172-8.5154382Castlepark MarinaCastleparkP17 XY67KinsalCo CorkIECastlepark Marinainfo@castleparkmarina.com+353 (0)21-4774959info@castleparkmarina.com+353 (0)21-4774959Kinsale Boatyardhttp://www.kinsaleboatyard.com/Boat YardKinsale BoatyardSallyportP17 AY23KinsaleCo CorkIE051.6891783-8.490304Kinsale BoatyardSallyportP17 AY23KinsaleCo CorkIEKinsale Boatyardkinsaleboatyard@eircom.net+353 (0)21 4774774kinsaleboatyard@eircom.net+353 (0)21 4774774Kinsale Yacht ClubKinsale Yacht ClubKinsale Yacht Club MarinaLower O'Connell StreetKinsaleP17 KT68KinsaleCounty CorkIE051.7013853-8.5191451Kinsale Yacht ClubKinsale Yacht Club MarinaLower O'Connell StreetKinsaleP17 KT68KinsaleCounty CorkIEKinsale Yacht Clubinfo@kyc.ie+353214773433info@kyc.ie+353214773433Sovereign Sailinghttp://www.sovereignsailing.com/Sovereign Sailing is basically a training and charter organisation but has a marinaSovereign SailingTrident MarinaPier RoadP17 NT38KinsaleCo CorkIE051.7058853-8.5222327Sovereign SailingTrident MarinaPier RoadP17 NT38KinsaleCo CorkIESovereign Sailingjames@sovereignsailing.com+353 (0)87 617 2555james@sovereignsailing.com+353 (0)87 617 2555Don Thomson2015-04-23T11:35:00+01:00Update 2015These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2015. Note that the Trident Marina is now taking visitors.-1MW2017-06-21T20:38:00+01:00Castle park marina KinsaleLovely beach is just 3 minutes away from the marina so excellent for kids! Lovely harbourmaster is very helping and if you get fuel you will get a better rate for a berth! Electricity - you need an adapter for that- first time we encountered this in Ireland. Lovely place!-1Don Thomson 32019-07-25T08:23:00+01:00Update Summer 2019These notes were reviewed in July 2019. We have drawn attention to the lack of transport between Castlepark Marina and the centre of Kinsale.-1Edwardo2024-07-14T08:38:00+01:00CautionConstant harassment from the Harbour masters if you aren't Irish. Expect it. They make no attempt to hide it. They view all foreign boats as criminals. Yet they have stolen dinghies on a few occasions leaving people unable to get to their boats as they say you can't leave them on the slips, which just means you can't leave the boats. Visitor moorings are 15 euro a night. They are usually full. Castlepark marina is cheap, it has winter rates and summer rates so take that into consideration. It is the better of the two harbors next to a small beach and a castle, but a slight walk from town. The other harbor has the advantage of being closer to town but it is more expensive.-1Guy Adams2016-08-22T11:53:00+01:00FuelNo fuel available at KYC, you have to go to Castlepasrk-1Fiona Balloch2023-06-26T15:07:00+01:00Kinsale mooring buoysWhen you pick up a yellow harbour buoy, they are marked visitor and have the mobile number 021 477 2154 on them. Call that number to register with the harbour master that you are on the buoy. You can pay over the phone. We paid a week then were told to call again before we left to pay remaining nights. 15 euros a night.-1Don Thomson2017-04-25T10:36:00+01:00UPDATE APRIL 2017I reviewed these notes in April 2017. Not much has changed here, the Marinas working on the Kinsale Harbour dues. Castle Park will be providing food and entertainment at the weekends.-1Ningaloo2019-07-05T20:46:00+01:00Kinsale YC recommendedLittle to recommend at Castle Park which only has two rather scruffy showers which require coin payment and are accessed by a path littered with dog excrement as the harbour master allows his dog to run free and makes no attempt to pick up after it. No food at the adjacent pub so you have a 45 minute walk (each way) for any further facilities. Kinsale YC is very friendly and I cannot understand anyone choosing to moor elsewhere unless there is s regatta (as there was on our first visit). Both marinas cost us €38 a night. Kinsale can be reached from Cork Airport by an hourly bus service.-1Don Thomson 32022-10-20T10:57:00+01:00UPDATE OCTOBER 2022We are hearing reports of serious silting affecting the depths in the KYC marina and the local authorities are looking at ways of addressing this.-1Don Thomson 32022-10-13T11:27:00+01:00UPDATE OCTOBER 2022I reviewed these notes in October 2022. The Harbour website has been taken down and we are trying to discover its new URL. Prices have increased.-1Fiona Balloch2023-06-18T08:48:00+01:00Castlepark MarinaThe marina master will usually squeeze you in, if Kinsale is full. It's easy to take your dinghy from there across to Trident Marina (gate is open, and no charge) and then walk the couple of minutes into Kinsale town. I'd recommend using your outboard due to tide. Castlepark is a tight marina but the marina staff help you into your berth. They even WhatsApp you with a photo of the marina with a mark on it to show you where your berth is. I wish all marinas did this! The beach at Castlepark is a couple of minutes walk away, beautiful, sandy and shallow for swimming. Euro 40 a night for 9.8m boat.-1Error fetching data: Not Found