Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Fort (15) fort (15) Charles (9) walk (9) beach (8) history (7) views (7) James (6) visit (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Julie S. 5 years ago on Google
    We'd already visited the very well preserved Charles Fort across the water, and now we were starting our day here at James Fort. You need to park down a ways and walk up to it, but it's an easy walk. The ruins are interesting to walk around and there are a few signs around to give you context and history of what you're seeing. You can see evidence that people camp up there. We're glad we explored it, and it was cool to compare and contrast the two forts. I think we only saw 5 other people there, as we'd gone right after having breakfast. I bet it would be cool to see at sunset, as well.
    4 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 4/5 Katie L. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome area to visit. Wish I could've seen behind the ways but love the history! Wish there was more history displayed at each area
    3 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Steven Julian G. 5 months ago on Google
    Nice view and quiet place. Ideal for a picnic ๐Ÿ˜
    2 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 4/5 Tom R. 5 months ago on Google
    Nice place for a stroll from Kinsale Beach - about 10 minutes from the roadside parking. Good bar nearby as well. Nice views from the top of the small hill.
    2 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Hetty Kinsale , I. 1 year ago on Google
    James Fort is a fantastic place to visit with views every angle . The Fort was built in 14 th century destroyed in the battle of 1601 . Itโ€™s a great place to bring your own picnic but there are few bins & no toilets. Itโ€™s a super place to bring your dog for a run . Lovely small beach but packed in the summer. The dock bar is an old bar but a wonderful place to have a drink no food is served here .
    2 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Jo G. 1 year ago on Google
    What a great place to visit. Not only because of the interesting ruins, but the views from up the hill is amazing. A few items to note. Had to walk through the yacht area and then take a right turn around the edge of a building to get to the access path. It was not well signposted at all and the google directions must date back to a time when it was possible to drive up there. If there still is, we didn't find it. And the access to the building is from following the walking route all the way up if you take a right too fast - you will circumnavigate a lot of vegetation and jump some muddy puddles if it rained to get to the fort.
    2 people found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Renata H. 2 years ago on Google
    This fort was built in 1607 and was captured in 1690 by williamite forces. The fort remains a most interesting example of 17th century military acchitecture and offers wonderful views of the town, river, harboure and Charles Fort. There is a walkway from Kinsale beach to the fort. It is a well spent time in history.๐Ÿ˜Šโค๏ธ
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Muhammad H. 9 months ago on Google
    Fantastic views from the fort.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Eszter U. 9 months ago on Google
    Amazing place. about 40 minutes' easy walk from the port of Cobh. the scenery is stunning. everything is organized, there is no rubbish. a real pleasant trip. it can also be interesting with children. nearby beach, sandy beach.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Salomรฉ T. 11 months ago on Google
    Short but lovely hike by the coast from Kinsale beach. The Fort is magnificent, even though itโ€™s in ruins. And the view from the bastions are impressive. You can even see Charles Fort across the bay.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 MaryRose B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place if you like to hike and are adventurous.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Fionnghuala M. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful place with gorgeous views! Lots of scenic areas
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 2/5 john k. 2 years ago on Google
    It's a bit meh compared to Charles Fort across the bay. Firstly it's locked up but that's not to say you can't scale the walls, which I didn't! It has such potential and is a shame the OPW haven't given it the same TLC that they've given Charles Fort. Done looking at it after 5mins, took a photo and split. Such a shame.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 5/5 Jackson K. 2 years ago on Google
    It's simple fort. But don't have access to inside, yet it's awesome on it's own way. Nice beach view and children play area nearby.
    1 person found this review helpful ๐Ÿ‘

  • 4/5 Donal M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely old fort that hasn't been extensively renovated. Easy access from the beach. There is no ticketing or bathroom facilities etc.

  • 4/5 Ben H. 1 year ago on Google
    The history here is immense, relating to various events from a long time ago. The fort has stood the test of time remarkably well, although it took some time to find it and you can't go inside of it. However it is free, unlike the 5 euro you will pay to see Charles Fort across the water from here. There is ample parking at the harbour and a short walk to the fort. It is very accessible from Kinsale by car or even by foot. Recommended, but Charles Fort (which I didn't visit) looked better.

  • 5/5 christophe 3. 3 years ago on Google
    Ruines sympa. Beaux panoramas. Le site est trรจs calme. 16/07/2020: this was my second visit to the fort. Sadly many dumping spots, including right beside the fort. ๐Ÿ˜” So disrespectful. And for what? Having a good craic or pretending so?

  • 4/5 Susan F. 11 months ago on Google
    Great spot for a walk. Nice beach great history around James Fort and great view across to Charlesfort

  • 5/5 Chris The Rockers Days o. 9 months ago on Google
    James fort is a lovely area To go for a nice hike and to go visit the Ruins aswell as see Charles fort in the distance aswell. The Ruins at top where all closed couldn't go inside to take a look wouod of loved to look around inside there โค๏ธ at first I thought our sat nav took us to the wrong location haha as I thought James fort was the big Charles fort ruins lol so yep if you watch my YouTube video when I upload it later you will hear me moaning about the sat nav being wrong but it was silly me haha getting names wrong. Chris The Rockers Days out is my YouTube channel for anyone interested โค๏ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช here's some history I found for you all.

  • 5/5 Frances S. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful views

  • 4/5 Eve R. 5 months ago on Google
    James Fort is only accessible on foot. There is parking near Dock Beach and it is approximately a 4 minute walk from there. There are approx 6 fairly steep steps to climb to get onto the path to the Fort. We walked around the Fort but it wasn't possible to go in. It was interesting to see and there is a great view of Kinsale from the path.

  • 4/5 Shane K. 2 years ago on Google
    Free to roam around and lovely walk. No shops nearby so pack drinks/food.


Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • โœ— Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • โœ— Wheelchair-accessible entrance

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Historic sites nearby

Last updated:
()