James's Fort
Dún Shéamais
The ruins of a five-sided fort from the early 17th century across the harbor, where you can look over Kinsale and Charles Fort from the grassy slopes.
James Fort was built between 1602 and 1607, after the Siege of Kinsale, and is named after King James I. It is one of the earliest pentagonal bastion forts in Ireland. Only the walls, gun towers, and battery remains survive, and it is open to visitors free of charge. It sits on Castle Park peninsula on the west bank of Kinsale harbour, about a 25-minute walk across the bridge from the town. From the grassy slopes you can look out over the town of Kinsale and across to Charles Fort. A small beach and some pubs nearby are good places to rest. It is open all day.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Kinsale
- Charles Fort
- Desmond Castle & International Museum of Wine
- Old Head of Kinsale & Lusitania Museum
- University College Cork
- Fitzgerald's Park
- Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral
- Elizabeth Fort