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
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Fort Lucan
- National Sea Life Centre
- Tower Museum
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- Clare Museum
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Natural History Museum
- Ferns Castle
- St Stephens Green
- Scattery Island Centre
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Glenveagh National Park
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Skerries Mills
- Phoenix Park
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- Tintern Abbey
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Charles Fort
- Aughnanure Castle
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Maynooth Castle
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Killarney National Park
- Kerry County Museum
- National Wax Museum Plus
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Dublinia
- Reginalds Tower
- Emo Court
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Dingle Oceanworld
- Ulster Museum
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
- Carrickfergus Museum
- Funtasia Bettystown
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- The Main Guard
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- Clonmacnoise
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- Somme Heritage Centre
- King Johns Castle
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- National Photographic Archive
- Tayto Park
- Kilkenny Castle
- St Marys Church
- Cahir Castle
- National Leprechaun Museum
- Eagles Flying
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Swiss Cottage
- Dublin Castle
- Ormond Castle
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- Listowel Castle
- National Concert Hall
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Derrynane House
- Dublin Zoo
- Adare Castle
- The Hunt Museum
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Athenry Castle
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Armagh County Museum
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- Hill of Tara
- Glasnevin Museum
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Arigna Mining Experience
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- Malahide Castle
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- Bushmills Distillery
- House of Waterford Crystal
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Barryscourt Castle
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Chester Beatty Library
- Donegal Castle
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- National Library of Ireland
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Navan Centre & Fort
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- Skellig Michael
- Dunmore Cave
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- Giants Causeway
- Casino Marino
- Sligo Abbey
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- Coole Park
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Government Buildings
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- Russborough House
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Little Museum of Dublin
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Ceide Fields
- Famine Warhouse
- Iveagh Gardens
- The Science Gallery
- Desmond Hall
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Dun Aonghasa
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- Caherconnell Fort
- Ross Castle
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- The Ark
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Connemara National Park
- Desmond Castle
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Burren National Park
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Ballyhack Castle
- Blarney Castle
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- King House
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Trim Castle
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- St Marys Abbey
- Museum at the Mill
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- Battle of the Boyne
- Guinness Storehouse
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- Ennis Friary
- Crag Cave
- Parkes Castle
- Armagh Planetarium
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- Aviva Stadium
- Titanic Belfast
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Castletown House
- Viking Splash Tours
- Glendalough
- Dromore Wood
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- Boyle Abbey
- Garylough Mill
- Galway City Museum
- National Transport Museum
- Donegal County Museum
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Aillwee Cave
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Queens University
- Belfast Zoo
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- Rothe House & Garden
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- Rock of Cashel
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Dungarvan Castle
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Florence Court
Local Recommendations
Hospitality
- Old Presbytery, The
(0.1km)SW - Le Bistro Kinsale
(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
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: