Charles Fort
Charles Fort
4.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Charles Fort
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
56 within 5 kms
Attractions
19 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Koriandyr18 contributionsInteresting and engaging location/tourThis site was part of our My Ireland Tour. We had a private guide to talk to us about the history of the fort and port Kinsale. We enjoyed learning the history and exploring the site before traveling into town. Highly recommend for learning more about Ireland's history.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 September 2023
- roy vTraralgon, Australia5,937 contributionsWhat a great complexWe visited the fort recently while on a tour. The lady from the fort who guided us was very good, she showed us around and explained the history of the place very well. A very big stone fort built by the English between 1678 1682 on the order of Charles 11. It has magnificent views over the town and the harbour . A national monument of Ireland since 1971. A must place to visit.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 September 2023
- ven_of_attre10 contributionsA crucial piece of history on a gorgeous coastlineThe weather was awfully windy and rainy, but that kind of added to the effect of this ruined fort on a solemn bay. The little museum, which explained the fort's history of defending against the Spanish and the Williamites, was particularly good. The views from the ramparts were as good as they could get (no climbing!) and I was able to do both the upper and lower circuits of the fort. Unfortunately, several corners of the fort were blocked off due to ongoing work.Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 17 April 2024
- D murphCounty Cork, Ireland356 contributionsMust visit fort.If in Kinsale a visit to Charles Fort is a must. Partly Renovated by the OPW the location is steeped in history. An amazing example of a fort with much of it still intact to its original design. The museum and talks are brilliant. Definitely worth a visit.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 6 May 2024
- tms215Philadelphia, Pennsylvania648 contributionsGo on a guided tourAmazing and sad history surrounds this place nestled in a beautiful town. The views are amazing and it had been well maintained. Take your time and go through each room. There are fascinating stories and artifacts throughout. A very cool experience and well worth a visitVisited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 15 May 2024
- WorldTravellerDHFNew York City, New York188 contributionsKinsale’s Top Sight - Must Do - Noel Dwyer is an incredible tour guideThe tour guide Noel Dwyer was delightful and incredibly knowledgeable! He took us through the applicable history of Ireland and all the elements of the fort, in addition to taking our picture and answering some Ireland history questions we had. In addition to the incredible tour guide - the views were sensational.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 June 2024
- Trail111720370639 contributionsGreat guided tourThe fort itself is very interesting and the displays were well presented and informative. The best part, however, was the guided tour. The gentleman who led it, I wish I had taken note of his name, was absolutely brilliant. He was very knowledgeable but had an easy style. He explained the interaction between British and Irish history, which is sadly neglected in the UK. The others on our tour came from Canada and Europe, but he made it interesting and accessible to all of us. It was certainly one of the highlights of my holiday (and the tour was included in the admission price, which was even better).Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 June 2024
- DFWKen15Dallas, Texas36 contributionsCharles Fort - July 2024: Pleasant visitWe enjoyed our recent visit to Charles Fort, outside of Kinsale. We took the scenic walking route (Scilly). This was enjoyable considering the weather and views. (Note: there is one steep part in the journey). The Fort has great views into the bay, the Modest entrance fee is worth it. There are a few exhibitions, with moderate level of details. The Fort has plenty of space to meander to consume part of an afternoon or morning.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 2 July 2024
- Andrea O16 contributionsBeautiful viewsLovely spot for pictures, the views are amazing. A short visit but can't complain as the price for family was only €13. There was a couple having wedding pictures taken there. Great idea. Would recommend a visitVisited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 6 July 2024
- eatlocal1ofakindMinneapolis, Minnesota742 contributionsA strategic fort constructed to defend Ireland against invadersThis was a strategic site established to defend Ireland. While only one battle was ever fought there the guide will explain the building and establishment of the Fort in Kinsale. It is very interested to understand the life in the fort, why it was built the way it was and the particular positioning.Visited July 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,306 reviews
Excellent
1,377
Very good
793
Average
123
Poor
5
Terrible
8
Laura C
16 contributions
Sept 2020 • Friends
Whilst in Kinsale you must take in Charles Fort
We went on a foggy day and still the view was amazing. Due to Covid 19 museum and coffee shop was closed, as a result entrance was free.
Office of public works on site to direct you around and provide information
Well worth a visit, if you are feeling fit you can reach the fort by the Scilly Walk.
We went on a foggy day and still the view was amazing. Due to Covid 19 museum and coffee shop was closed, as a result entrance was free.
Office of public works on site to direct you around and provide information
Well worth a visit, if you are feeling fit you can reach the fort by the Scilly Walk.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul O
County Monaghan, Ireland5,745 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
A very large and well preserved fort located just outside the town of Kinsale. It cost €5 to enter and there are some great views and takes about 30 mins or so to walk around and explore.
There is limited signage around the fort and parking is not great. You effectively have to double park along the side of a road just outside the fort
There is limited signage around the fort and parking is not great. You effectively have to double park along the side of a road just outside the fort
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael Flynn
Dublin, Ireland44 contributions
Jul 2020
Charles Fort is a great place to visit for history buffs.
It is very well laid out and presented in a way that brings the visitor right through a period in Irish history. Well worth a visit.
It is very well laid out and presented in a way that brings the visitor right through a period in Irish history. Well worth a visit.
Written 9 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andre H
Cape Town, South Africa548 contributions
Apr 2022
We unfortunately missed the last admission at 5pm & chose to wonder around the outside which was worth it.
The Fort is quite big & really well preserved from all our observations.
We wondered along the water and got some really great views & photos of the Fort as it is right on the ocean. You can see James Fort on the opposite side of the Bay entrance but its not as big & preserved as Charles Fort.
Even though we could not go in we were impressed with we saw & the entrance fee is a lot less than some of the other castles we visited during our 2 week trip in Ireland
The Fort is quite big & really well preserved from all our observations.
We wondered along the water and got some really great views & photos of the Fort as it is right on the ocean. You can see James Fort on the opposite side of the Bay entrance but its not as big & preserved as Charles Fort.
Even though we could not go in we were impressed with we saw & the entrance fee is a lot less than some of the other castles we visited during our 2 week trip in Ireland
Written 4 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Montaya007
Fort McMurray, Canada108 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
So this Fort was a British Fort, but it was interesting because it's in a star shape for defense, I won't tell you why because you should go and do the tour.
This is a self guided walking tour, basically you just wander the grounds by yourself, there are multiple open doors, but there is a lot of stuff under construction.
It is neat to see the lay out of the old fort, and the information that is around the Fort on the signs, it's a really neat read.
Take your time and enjoy yourself while wandering through the Fort. It is worth it.
5 out of 5
This is a self guided walking tour, basically you just wander the grounds by yourself, there are multiple open doors, but there is a lot of stuff under construction.
It is neat to see the lay out of the old fort, and the information that is around the Fort on the signs, it's a really neat read.
Take your time and enjoy yourself while wandering through the Fort. It is worth it.
5 out of 5
Written 24 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orla W
Dublin, Ireland16 contributions
Jul 2020 • Solo
The site is very impressive with a spectacular setting and an interesting history. There were multitudes of staff in high vis jackets everywhere but I really don't understand why so many were necessary when no talks were available due to Covid restrictions. That said as I was leaving I had a really interesting and informative talk with one of the guides who imparted a little of his extensive knowledge of the history of the fort.
One major criticism is the fact the public toilets were closed supposedly due to Covid restrictions. I would suggest that the site should not be open without the toilet facilities. I also see no public health reason to not open the toilets ( large department stores, restaurants bars etc can open their toilets) - so why not OPW run historical sites?
One major criticism is the fact the public toilets were closed supposedly due to Covid restrictions. I would suggest that the site should not be open without the toilet facilities. I also see no public health reason to not open the toilets ( large department stores, restaurants bars etc can open their toilets) - so why not OPW run historical sites?
Written 13 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roman S
Saint Mary in the Marsh, UK100 contributions
Jan 2020
What a delightful gem in Kinsale Harbour. Lots of history, lots to explore and a lot to take in. However I think it would be better to visit on a warm day rather than a windswept January afternoon. Well worth a visit with kids too but take a picnic and take your time.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olaf D
1 contribution
Jun 2021
When visiting Charles Fort make sure you talk to OPW employee Noel Dwyer - He is by far the funniest and most passionate person we have ever met, he made use laugh and chuckle all the time. His knowledge of the place alone and Kinsale was great. He made the entire experience fabulous !!!!
Written 19 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stuart-Herritty
Birmingham, UK274 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
A well preserved defence at the mouth of the Kinsale harbour is informative. Great views and fun for the kids to run around and blow off some steam. It could do with a bit more historical information for the history buffs amongst us.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob D
Brighton, UK247 contributions
Aug 2020
Went for a tour of the fort. Was really interesting and a scenic place. The staff were really friendly and welcoming and had lots of knowledge. Was great to see the structures and fort. Everything was also very well organised to ensure distancing and safety
Written 20 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
do you allow wedding/humanist ceremonies here ?
Written 6 May 2020
I believe they do have weddings there. You should contact them directly. They’ll have a contact number on Facebook
Written 19 August 2020
How often do the guided tours run in August?
Written 17 May 2018
Yep they run from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but also depends on weather since that is when Fall starts in Ireland
Written 19 May 2018
Is ther muhc to see in Kinsale? I am like a nature lover, sight seeing and views in the drive is what i like...not sure if ican get any ideas for my short short 4 day tour to ireland from the USA....i am including Killarney to Dingle to Dublin and return....Thanks in advance!!
Written 12 August 2015
Yes. Kinsale is definitely worth your time. You can walk to several historical sights so it is great for people who enjoy the outdoors. Take the Scilly walk from Kinsale to Fort Charles.
Written 14 October 2018
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing