Kinsale

As we arrived in Kinsale, the rain gradually let up and an after dinner walk revealed the beauty of the harbor.

 

We started out our day with a fabulous historical tour with Barry. In a short time, he gave us a great overview of this importance of Kinsale to Irish history. In 1601, the last Spanish Armada landed here hoping for a back door way to attack England. English troops marched from Dublin and besieged the Spanish troops. An Irish army from the north, led by the heads of the O'Neill and O'Donnell clans, marched the length of Ireland in the winter to come to their aid. They were defeated in battle, and historians now cite 1601 as the beginning of the end of Gaelic Ireland.

 

Above is the 17th century courthouse where the inquest into the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania took place. The sinking of the ship by German submarine torpedoes off the Old Head of Kinsale occurred 100 years ago, on May 7th, leading to many centenary events; including the first class passenger re-enactment below.

 

Jim and Patsy at Charles Fort, a star-shaped 17th century garrison that was in use until the British left in 1922 upon the founding of the Republic of Ireland.

 

 

 

 

We also visited Cobh, the departure point for 2.5 million Irish people emigrating in hopes of a better life. The museum also tells the story of the thousands of convicts who were shipped to Australia, enduring unbelievable conditions during the six to nine month journey by ship. Cobh was also the final port of call for the Titantic.

 

Posted with Blogsy