How to Visit Old Head of Kinsale
Read our travel guide on Old Head of Kinsale. Includes best things to do and see, tips on where to stay, how to get, or when to go.
The Old Head of Kinsale is a beautiful stop along the iconic Wild Atlantic Way.
In fact, if you're road-tripping Ireland clockwise, the chances are that this coastal area in County Cork will be one of your first stops along this stunning scenic drive.
Our Ireland itinerary was a bit less organized, but we eventually made it to the Old Head of Kinsale as well.
As it was one of our first experiences with the Irish coast, we really enjoyed Old Head of Kinsale. The stunning views, the sound of waves, and the smell of the sea breeze were exhilarating.
So, what is there to see and do at Old Head of Kinsale, and why should you visit this place in the first place?
Let's dive into it.
What to See and Do
The Old Head of Kinsale is home to some interesting attractions, such as cliffs, beaches, ruins, museum, lighthouse, signal tower, and even golf course.
Just make sure to plan your trip carefully, as we arrived there late in the afternoon and the museum was already closed.
On the other hand, there were almost no people around. And the views were as beautiful as ever.
Whether you explore the Old Head of Kinsale on a day trip from Cork (or Kinsale) or while touring Ireland's coast, here are some things to do and see while there.
The Old Head Signal Tower
Built two hundred years ago as the number 25 out of 81 signal towers along Ireland's coast, the Old Head Signal Tower is an exciting place to visit.
Its original purpose of a communication tower during the Napoleonic wars is no longer needed, so the building is housing today an informative Lusitania Museum.
The Signal Tower was beautifully restored, and you can learn more about it on the ground floor.
You can also climb to the top of the tower's roof platform to enjoy even more spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean or learn more about the purpose of the signal towers in the past.
Speaking of which, this place is also one of the Discovery Points along the Wild Atlantic Way.
While there, make sure to also stop at the Memorial Garden, reminding the story of the Lusitania's last journey from New York to Liverpool.
There is a small admission of €5 per adult.
Lusitania Museum
Furthermore, the first floor of Signal Tower at Old Head is home to Lusitania Museum.
So once you step inside the signal tower, you will be given a great opportunity to learn more about the tragic story of the RMS Lusitania.
This British ocean liner owned by Cunard Line was one of the fastest and largest ships at the beginning of the 20th century.
Unfortunately, the boat was torpedoed by a German U-boat on 7th May 1915, just off Ireland's southern coast, killing almost 2000 passengers and crew.
Old Head Lusitania Museum is, together with the Heritage Center in Cobh and Belfast Titanic Experience in Northern Ireland, one of the places that allow you to learn more about this horrific incident.
The Cliffs
For us, the major reason to visit the Old Head of Kinsale was the local cliffs rising almost a hundred meters from the sea.
There is something magical about enjoying the uninterrupted views from the top, the seagulls gliding and hovering in the air, and watching the omnipresent waves crashing in the rocks.
Unlike Cliffs of Moher, there are no barriers, so stay away from the edge for safety reasons.
There is no entry fee to the cliffs on the Old Head of Kinsale, meaning it's a great place to see when visiting Ireland on a budget.
We didn't do the whole 6-kilometer Old Head of Kinsale Loop as we didn't have enough time, but we just walked along the cliffs for some time and then returned back to our car.
By the way, if you like stunning cliffs, make sure also to visit places such as Kerry Cliffs, Slieve League, or Downpatrick Head.
Castle Ruins
Just before you reach the main entrance to the golf course, there is a small parking on the right side of the road.
It's closer to the cliffs trail if you don't want to walk there from the museum.
But before you start exploring the cliffs, your attention will most likely be caught by a stone tower and walls marking the private land area.
These are the remains of a 12th-century castle, but there is not much left today, so don't expect to find here Blarney Castle or Rock of Cashel.
Old Head Golf Links
If you have money to spend and love golf, the further end of the headland may very well be your next favorite destination in Ireland.
Often described as one of the most beautiful golf courses in Ireland, the Old Head should deliver an extraordinary experience.
Unfortunately, this is a private property inaccessible to the public, so you need to either play golf, stay at the hotel, or eat at the restaurant to visit this part of the headland.
The Old Head Lighthouse
A few times a year, visitors are given a chance to explore the Old Head Lighthouse, that's otherwise off-limits to the public troughout the year.
It sits at the furthest end of the headland, even past the golf course.
During these rare occasions, the shuttle buses will take you from the Old Head Signal Tower to the Old Head Lighthouse throughout the day, as no walking is allowed along the access road.
Garrettstown and Garylucas Beaches
On the way out, you may consider making a quick stop at either Garrettstown or Garylucas beach to say a proper goodbye to the Old Head of Kinsale.
Both beaches are popular with locals (especially with kite surfers and windsurfers), so don't expect to have them for yourself during the summer.
Entrance Fee
There is no entrance fee to the cliffs at Old Head of Kinsale. However, admission to the Lusitania Museum & Signal Tower is €5 per adult.
How to Get There
As the area is relatively remote, the best way to get to the Old Head of Kinsale is by car.
Unless you want to take a taxi or join a guided tour, it will be your safest bet to explore the headland fully.
Lusitania Museum & Signal Tower is only 13 kilometers south of Kinsale via R604 and 40 kilometers from Cork. The roads are narrow in the Irish countryside, so drive slowly.
Also, make sure to read our tips for driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland to learn more about these topics.
Coor is only an hour drive from Cork. It takes about three and half hours to get there from Dublin or Galway.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
There are several parking options at the Old Head of Kinsale.
Parking at Garretstown and Garylucas is perfect for travelers who want to enjoy the beaches and explore the rest of the area from there.
Another parking is near the caravan park and the Speckled Door pub near Old Head Bay Beach.
Obviously, Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower has on-site parking, but if you want to see the cliffs only, there is a tiny unmarked parking right before the castle and gold course entrance.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation, you have several options to choose from. Obviously, the majority of travelers stay in Kinsale, Cork, or some village along the coastal route.
Moreover, you should be able to find some small beds and breakfasts in the Old Head of Kinsale area or even the golf hotel.
Here we've hand-selected some popular hotels in this area.
Kinsale | Actons Hotel Kinsale - Set in Kinsale Harbour, Actons Hotel features spacious and comfortable rooms, an indoor pool, a gym, and a sauna. There is also free parking.
Cork | Imperial Hotel Cork City - Featuring boutique rooms, a fantastic location, and delicious on-site dining options, Imperial Hotel Cork City is a top accommodation in the city. Simply put, it is a great value for your money.
When to Go
The Old Head of Kinsale is a natural attraction that is open all year round. Therefore, you can incorporate this area into your itinerary any time of the year.
Firstly, we advise you to figure out when is the best time to visit Ireland, as the place can get very windy.
Additionally, the Lusitania Museum & Signal Tower is closed down for winter, so you need to check whether the site is open before you go.
What to Pack
Weather in Ireland's coastal areas is unpredictable, often windy and rainy, and can change with little notice.
Make sure to have a good rain jacket or rain poncho and sturdy shoes, and always check the weather forecast before you go.
Binoculars or a telephoto lens might come in handy if you like bird-watching.
Here you will find more tips on what to pack for Ireland.
Staying Safe
The Old Head of Kinsale cliffs are stunning, but you should exercise caution when walking there.
While it is tempting to go close to cliff edges to peer over or take a photo, you should always keep a safe distance from them to stay safe while in Ireland.
Cliffs are notoriously unstable, even though it is not often obvious to the naked eye.
By the way, if you decide to walk along the cliffs, make sure to wear proper clothes according to the weather.
Be prepared for strong winds, rain, and the fact that there is usually nowhere to hide in case of poor weather.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Old Head of Kinsale Worth Visiting?
The Old Head of Kinsale is a beautiful place to explore and worth seeing when touring this area.
And while Kinsale is a lovely town, discovering the countryside is one of the best things to do while there.
However, the Old Head of Kinsale is not worth visiting in case you would have to make a huge detour as there are tons of similar places scattered along Ireland's coast.
Another thing to consider is that even though the cliffs are pretty spectacular and the museum very informative, you can't access the tip of the peninsula unless you want to play golf.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
