Charles Fort stands on the headland at Summer Cove, about 3 kilometres from Kinsale town centre, and is one of the largest and best-preserved examples of a star-shaped bastion fort in Europe. Built between 1677 and 1682 for King Charles II, it served as a British Army garrison for nearly two and a half centuries, surviving sieges, bombardments, and the violence of the Irish Civil War before being handed to the Irish state.
The fort covers several acres and a visit takes a full hour or more. The views from the bastions over Kinsale Harbour are excellent. A section of the interior is given over to a military history museum. The Scilly Walk — a 6-kilometre return path along the waterfront from Kinsale town — is the most pleasant way to reach Charles Fort: flat, well-maintained, and with harbour views throughout. The Office of Public Works manages the site; admission is €5 for adults.