Chamber's survery shows that food is Kinsale's top temptation

FOOD is the top reason people visit Kinsale and the main reason people return to the town year after year. 

That’s according to research conducted by Kinsale Chamber of Tourism & Business with Failte Ireland which stated that great scenery, friendly people and a colourful town centre also contribute to its success. Restaurants owners and those connected with food in Kinsale gathered at a special event recently to celebrate being voted Ireland’s Foodie Town of the Year 2018 by the Restaurant Association of Ireland.

Ciaran Fitzgerald, Chamber chairperson and Managing Director of The Blue Haven Hotel Collection said: ‘This award shows that the strength of the food community is alive and well in Kinsale. The food business is everything to us in this town  - there are over 60 places to eat in Kinsale and over 1,000 (ie one-fifth of the population) are directly or indirectly employed in the food and hospitality sector so the award is really important to us.’

He thanked all those involved and the public for voting: ‘Foodie Desintations 2018 is an amazing opportunity for local businesses to bring a keen tourism advantage to their area. We are delighted that Kinsale is Foodie Town 2018 and it really is testament to the hard work done by all those involved with food in the town over many years and today.’

While always a unique destination for food lovers he said a new generation of food and drink businesses like Blacks Brewery, Kinsale Mead Co. and Stonewell Cider have breathed new life and brought an extra dynamic to the town.