Visit Charles Fort on an Ireland RnR Tour

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• published: 28 Jun 2016
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Visit Charles Fort in Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland on an Ireland RnR Tour. From Wikipedia: Charles Fort (Irish: Dún Chathail) is a star fort located on the water's edge, at the southern end of the village of Summer Cove, on Kinsale harbour, County Cork, Ireland. James' Fort is located on the other side of the harbour. Charles Fort is built on the site of an earlier stronghold known as Ringcurran Castle, which featured prominently during the Siege of Kinsale in 1601. The fort, which is named after Charles II, was designed by the Surveyor-general Sir William Robinson - architect of the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The fort was built in the 1670s and 1680s to a star fortification design - a layout specifically designed to resist attack by cannon. The inland bastions of the fort however are overlooked by higher ground, a fact of critical importance when the fort was besieged by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (then 1st Earl) in 1690 during the Williamite War in Ireland. Repairs were made following the siege, and the fort remained in use as a British Army barracks for two hundred years afterwards. An early lighthouse was established here in the 17th century by Robert Reading. The fort was relinquished by British forces following the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921, but it fell out of use after being burned by the retreating anti-Treaty forces during the Irish Civil War in 1922. The complex was named a National Monument of Ireland in 1971 and has been partly restored by Dúchas, the Irish heritage service. From IrishCentral: Charlesfort, or Dun Chathail in the Irish language, was built between 1677 and 1682 during the reign of Charles II as a fortress to defend against attacks from enemies approaching via the sea. William Robinson, who designed the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham in Dublin, is credited with the design of the fort. Charlesfort was in military use until 1922. It is now in ruins, but the bride can still be seen wandering the fort’s walls in her white wedding dress. The White Lady as the locals call her, has also been seen wandering through the streets of Kinsale where she lived. Charlesfort was declared an Irish National Monument in 1973 for its part in Irish history and there are now regular guided tours. The fort played a part in several conflicts including the Williamite War between 1689 and 1691. In 1689, James II sought to reclaim the English throne from William of Orange and he came to Kinsale with French soldiers. James II was later defeated by William. Charlesfort had suffered much damage through its years of service and restoration began after it was declared an Irish National Monument. Some of the original construction from the 17th century can still be seen today.