Free Museums in Kinsale

"Although only a 30-minute walk from the city centre, the gaol is enveloped in tranquil and generous grounds. The austere stone structure first opened in 1824 and operated as a prison for 100 years. Countess Markievicz – the first woman elected to the British Parliament, although she did not take her seat – was incarcerated here in 1919 during the Irish War of Independence."

"the craic of cork: top 10 things to do in cork, ireland | experience 19th-century prison life at cork city gaol. experience 19th-century prison life at cork city gaol. Great sightseeing trip in Cork City."

"The Blackrock Castle Observatory may be old (the building dates back to 1582) but it’s always had an eye on the horizon. Originally, the watchtower was built to defend Cork from pirates, the Spanish, and even (in the case of one English Lord) Corkonians themselves. With walls thick enough to withstand cannon fire, it presented a formidable defense to marauders."

"Blackrock Castle Observatory is a 16th century castle located about 2km from the heart of Cork City on the banks of the river Lee. The present-day castle is actually the third structure to stand on this site. In 1582 the townspeople of Cork built a watchtower here to guard the harbour from pirates and"

"The Crawford Art Gallery is housed in Cork’s former Custom House – an imposing red-brick structure erected in 1724 and a welcome juxtaposition to the modern glass façade of Cork Opera House next door. The building has been augmented many times since, with the most recent extension in 2000 – designed by Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat – bringing an additional exhibition wing for modern art. The impressive permanent collection gives a visual insight into themes that trace the city’s biography, from the life of a ‘merchant prince’ in 18th-century Cork to famine and emigration."

"The Crawford Art Gallery, just beside the Opera House, houses a wide array of art, from classical paintings to video installations, presented in beautiful surroundings. Fresh visiting exhibits rotate frequently, and the permanent collection is anchored by a selection of Greek and Roman sculpture casts. The on-site café, surrounded by a selection of the gallery’s artworks, is an ideal spot for recharging with a light lunch or tea and cake on vintage china."

"Big Little Lies may have given model train lovers a bad name, but we adore the Model Railway Village in the town of Clonakilty. About an hour from Cork proper, this unique site features a handsome, handmade scale model of all the adorable villages along the old West Cork Railway line (closed in 1961). Watching the trains traverse a miniature Cork County is mesmerizing, and all the building details are really fantastic."

"This is the ideal fun thing to do in Ireland with kids if your children are going through a trains and cars obsession. Not only can they learn all about the history of the different railways in Cork, but they can also physically walk through models of all the small towns linked by the railways. Oh, and there’s even a mini-train that they can take a ride on!"

"Another UCC building, the sleek Lewis Glucksman Gallery, designed by Irish architects O’Donnell + Tuomey, is one of Cork’s newest buildings and one of the most widely praised, having earned many accolades since being added to the campus in 2004. As well as being named Ireland’s Best Public Building in 2005, its architecture also won a UK Civic Trust award, a RIBA award and was shortlisted for the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize. The wood-covered gallery building was designed to fit seamlessly in with its sylvan surroundings."

"Lewis Glucksman Gallery|© Lewis Glucksman Gallery/WikiCommons. Nestled at the edge of the University College Cork campus, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is a recent addition to Cork’s gallery scene. Opened in 2004, the gallery is named after its benefactor, Dr Lewis Glucksman."

"Desmond Castle is an impressive and historic tower house that is located in the County Cork town of Kinsale and has a fantastic heritage. It was originally constructed in around the year 1500 after it was built as the Customs House for Kinsale; it continued this function until the year 1641 before it was converted into a naval prison. Throughout the following centuries, it changed its function again, ranging from a town gaol to a workhouse."

"Kinsale's roots in the wine trade are on display at this early-16th-century fortified house that was occupied by the Spanish in 1601. Since then it has served as a customs house, a prison for French and American..."

"The howl of the storm almost knocks you off-balance, there's a bit of fake vomit on the deck, and the people in the pictures all look pretty miserable – that's just one room at Cobh Heritage Centre."

"Many of the people who left Ireland on immigrant ships for the New World departed from Cobh, which was formerly known as Queenstown."

"Cafe Gusto is another spot that’s said to dish out some of the best brunch Cork has to offer. It was established in 1999 and was once the famous O’Brien coffee shop that operated since 1941. The creative force behind the cafe, Marianne, had travelled extensively around the world before returning to Cork in1998."

"Immediately inside the gates you will see a portion of the old city walls which have been excavated and restored."

"A two-mile-long (3km) riverside walk that winds its way around the River Lee, this trail ends with panoramic views of Cork’s centre. The path runs parallel to the Twopot River and past the scattered ruins of Bishopstown House, which includes an ornamental lake and a crumbling limestone hut. Across the river, there’s a stone-encircled grassy field – a rural, out-of-the-way park that’s blissfully close to the city centre."

"Whether you’ve a banging hangover on a Sunday morning or it’s Monday morning and you fancy a healthy breakfast fix to get you through a busy workday, Perry Street Market is worth a shout. This cute café is all about locally sourced produce and freshly made from scratch breakfast foods. The full Irish is both fulfilling and delicious."

"Seriously, when it comes to pizza, these guys can do no wrong. Add a side of any of their delicious chips and you're all set for the evening. Burnt are open for delivery and takeaway and on the deliveroo app from 4pm to 9pm."