Desmond Castle
Category: Families, Rainy Day, Culture, Sightseeing
Type: Castles, Historic Homes & Sites, Museums & Galleries, Visitor Centres, General Attractions
Cork Street
Kinsale
Co Cork
Kinsale
Co Cork
Tel: +353 21 477 4855
Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.
Desmond Castle hosts the International Museum of Wine Exhibition, that documents the unique history of Ireland's wine links with Europe and the wider world
Desmond Castle
Georgina Campbell
Desmond Castle was built by the Earl of Desmond c. 1500 as a Customs House and was used for this purpose until 1641 when it was converted into a naval prison, following the construction of a new Customs House. The prisoners kept in the Castle were mainly French and Spanish and it is known locally as the French Prison.
The castle fell into decay but was restored by the government in the 1990s. It is a fine example of an urban tower house with a three storey keep with storehouses to the rear.
Today Desmond Castle hosts the International Museum of Wine Exhibition, that documents the unique history of Ireland's wine links with Europe and the wider world.
The castle fell into decay but was restored by the government in the 1990s. It is a fine example of an urban tower house with a three storey keep with storehouses to the rear.
Today Desmond Castle hosts the International Museum of Wine Exhibition, that documents the unique history of Ireland's wine links with Europe and the wider world.
Opening Time:
Open daily 5th April-19th September 10am-6pm. Last admission 1 hour before closing
Admission Charge:
Adults €3; Child/Student €1; OAP/Group €2; Family €8.
Map markers
You are here
Distance
- 10km
- 25km
- 50km
Directions
Centre of KinsaleView Similar Tourist Attractions
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- Viking Splash Tours
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Jerpoint Abbey
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- National Sea Life Centre
- National Wax Museum Plus
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
- Ulster Museum
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- Skerries Mills
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Ferns Castle
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Connemara National Park
- Guinness Storehouse
- Rock of Cashel
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- St Marys Abbey
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- Ballyhack Castle
- Galway City Museum
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Phoenix Park
- King Johns Castle
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- Dublin Castle
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Killarney National Park
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- Natural History Museum
- Crag Cave
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- Ormond Castle
- National Library of Ireland
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- St Marys Church
- Skellig Michael
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- Charles Fort
- Museum at the Mill
- Blarney Castle
- Giants Causeway
- Desmond Castle
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- Ross Castle
- Armagh County Museum
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- Dun Aonghasa
- Desmond Hall
- Garylough Mill
- Glendalough
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- Derrynane House
- Caherconnell Fort
- Armagh Planetarium
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- King House
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Fort Lucan
- House of Waterford Crystal
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Reginalds Tower
- Adare Castle
- Sligo Abbey
- Somme Heritage Centre
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Tower Museum
- Dromore Wood
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- Aillwee Cave
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Dublinia
- Burren National Park
- The Science Gallery
- Coole Park
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Ennis Friary
- Rathfarnham Castle
- National Concert Hall
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Dunmore Cave
- Aviva Stadium
- Clonmacnoise
- National Leprechaun Museum
- Kerry County Museum
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Parkes Castle
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Ceide Fields
- Malahide Castle
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Donegal Castle
- Queens University
- Dublin Zoo
- Belfast Zoo
- Chester Beatty Library
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- The Hunt Museum
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Battle of the Boyne
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- Famine Warhouse
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Cahir Castle
- Castletown House
- Titanic Belfast
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- Eagles Flying
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- Clare Museum
- National Transport Museum
- Aughnanure Castle
- Iveagh Gardens
- National Photographic Archive
- Arigna Mining Experience
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Trim Castle
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Funtasia Bettystown
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Carrickfergus Museum
- Barryscourt Castle
- Glenveagh National Park
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- Little Museum of Dublin
- Swiss Cottage
- Dungarvan Castle
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- Boyle Abbey
- Russborough House
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Florence Court
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Listowel Castle
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- The Ark
- Casino Marino
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- St Stephens Green
- Athenry Castle
- Maynooth Castle
- The Main Guard
- Bushmills Distillery
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- Navan Centre & Fort
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Scattery Island Centre
- Glasnevin Museum
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- Donegal County Museum
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Kilkenny Castle
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Tintern Abbey
- Dingle Oceanworld
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Rothe House & Garden
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Emo Court
- Tayto Park
- Hill of Tara
- Government Buildings
Local Recommendations
Hospitality
- Old Presbytery, The
(0.1km)SW - Supper Club
(0.1km)SW - Fishy Fishy
(0.1km)SW - Friar's Lodge
(0.1km)SW - Dalton's
(0.2km)SE - Blue Haven Hotel, The
(0.2km)SE - Lemon Leaf Café
(0.2km)SE - Finns' Farmcut (formerly Finn's Table)
(0.2km)SE - Old Bank Townhouse, The
(0.2km)SE - Bastion
(0.3km)SE - Perryville House
(0.3km)SE - Max's Wine Bar
(0.3km)SE - Bruno's
(0.4km)SE - Blindgate House
(0.4km)SW - Kinsale Mead
(0.5km)NE - Actons Hotel
(0.5km)SE - Black Pig Winebar & Café, The
(0.5km)SE - Man Friday
(0.6km)SE - Spaniard Inn,The
(0.6km)SE - Trident Hotel
(0.8km)SE
Self Catering
- Farran House
(23.2km)NW - Galley Head Lightkeepers Houses
(35.0km)SW - Castlemartyr Resort - Lodges & Mews
(40.1km)NE - Salterbridge Gatelodge
(67.9km)NE
Farmers Markets
- Kinsale - County Cork - Tuesdays
(0.2km)SE - Bandon - County Cork - Saturdays
(15.3km)NW - Bishopstown - Co Cork - Thursdays
(18.7km)NW - Crosshaven - County Cork - Saturdays
(18.9km)NE - Douglas - Co Cork - Saturdays
(20.1km)NE - Ballincollig - County Cork - Wednesdays
(20.6km)NW - Mahon Point - County Cork - Thursdays
(21.3km)NE - English - Cork - Daily
(21.5km)NE - Cornmarket Street - Cork City - Saturday Mornings
(21.7km)NE - Hosfords - Bandon Co Cork - 1st Sunday Each Month
(22.3km)NW - Cobh - County Cork - Fridays
(22.8km)NE - Blackpool - Co Cork - Fridays
(23.2km)NE - Blarney - Co Cork - Thursdays
(25.4km)NW - Clonakilty - County Cork - Thursdays
(26.9km)SW - Clonakilty - Co Cork - Fridays
(26.9km)SW - Cloyne Country & - Co Cork - Fridays
(32.6km)NE - Midleton - County Cork - Saturdays
(33.4km)NE - Macroom - County Cork - Tuesdays
(37.1km)NW - Greenbarn - Co Cork - Fridays
(48.1km)NE - Mallow - Co Cork - Fridays
(48.4km)NW - Killavullen - Co Cork - Every Two weeks
(49.6km)NE - Fermoy - County Cork - Sundays
(52.0km)NE - Lismore - County Waterford - Sundays
(62.8km)NE
Tourist Attractions
-
Desmond Castle
(0.0km)NE -
Charles Fort
(2.1km)NE -
Cobh Heritage Centre
(22.1km)NE -
Blarney Castle
(25.0km)NE -
Barryscourt Castle
(28.5km)NE -
Jameson Experience Midleton
(33.9km)NE
Golf Courses
- Old Head of Kinsale Golf Club
(9.8km) SW - Monkstown Golf Club
(20.2km) NE - Cork Golf Club
(24.2km) NE - Blarney Golf Resort
(26.2km) NW - Fota Island Golf Club
(26.8km) NE
Gardens
- Lisselan Gardens
(23.7km)SW - Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens
(24.9km)NE - Lakemount Garden.
(25.9km)NE - Cedar Lodge
(31.5km)NE - Ballymaloe Cookery School Gardens
(38.4km)NE - Aultaghreagh Cottage Garden
(39.7km)NW - Ballyvolane House
(45.2km)NE - Lismore Castle Gardens
(62.7km)NE - Cappoquin House Garden
(67.5km)NE
Nearby Towns/Areas
- Kinsale
(0.2km) SE - Oysterhaven
(2.7km) NE - Ballinspittle
(6.8km) SW - Innishannon
(10.3km) NW - Kilbrittain
(13.0km) SW - Ballygarvan
(13.6km) NE - Carrigaline
(15.1km) NE - Courtmacsherry
(15.6km) SW - Timoleague
(18.1km) SW - Bandon
(18.4km) SW
Apps and Books
-
From Tide to Table by Georgina Campbell
Paperback edition of From Tide to Table - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Buying, Prep ...more... -
Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Best of the Best
A selective companion guide to our famous broad-based online collection, the ‘glovebox bib ...more...
Comments
There are currently no comments
Leave a comment
Not a member? Register for your free membership now!
Or leave a comment by logging in with: