After prepping the van for a couple of days wild camping we take the R600 to Kinsale. It’s a lovely road around the coast, narrow with twists and turns and fabulous views.

Our arrival in Kinsale is the end of our adventure along part of the Wild Atlantic Way which started in Dingle. There’s still loads of it left to explore as it starts/ends in County Donegal in the north and Kinsale in County Cork in the south.

After a hairy moment near the harbour when we entered a carpark we shouldn’t have and then struggled to exit, T’s excellent manouvering got us back onto the Long Quay where we’d been told we could park up overnight. It’s literally a road that runs alongside one of the harbour walls. We were lucky that a car moved and opened up a big space for us right at the end of Long Quay. We parked and then realised we were pointing the wrong way so our door was into traffic. T managed to turn Luci around whilst I guarded our space and then we were set!

Lunch in the van, it’s a little strange having people wander past the van when we’re sitting in it, and then we went for an explore. Lots of brightly painted houses everywhere.

We walked to the top of the town and visited Desmond Castle which wasn’t open and then up again to the Carmelite Friary and Church.

On the way down a quick stop at St John’s parish church.

It started to rain so we popped into the Lord Kinsale for a half, lovely atmosphere and friendly locals, followed by one in Jim Edwards which was more of a restaurant than pub.

Back to the van for a while for a nap and a read. Early evening we went out and started in Kitty O Se’s but food was finished as music was due to start.

We went instead around the corner to The White House Pub and enjoyed a lovely dinner surrounded by USA memorabilia and memorials. Kinsale is twinned with Newport,Rhode Island.

We decide to return to Kitty O Se’s for the music and end up staying there for a few hours as we have seats at the bar. Catch the end of a nail biting Hurling game between Limerick and Waterford. Limerick, the underdogs won but it was neck and neck until the end! The bar is getting busier and busier, the staff work hard all night long behind a cramped bar and we are entertained by a couple of turns.

A final drink in the Armada which is significantly quieter, then back to the van.

Another lovely day.

Sad to see the end of our journey along the Wild Atlantic Way, we’ll have to return and do the rest of it!