The best months for Kinsale are May through September, when the weather is warmest, the harbour is busiest, and the coastal walks are at their best. July and August are peak season and the town fills up; book restaurants well in advance. The annual Gourmet Festival in October draws large crowds for a weekend and is a good reason to visit in the shoulder season.
Winter in Kinsale is quiet but not unpleasant. The town settles back into its everyday rhythm, some restaurants reduce their hours or close for a few weeks, but the pubs remain open and the coastal walks can be dramatic in Atlantic weather. Spring — March through May — is underrated: fewer crowds, reasonable prices, and the harbour in clear light.