On Saturday August 24th 2024, during Heritage Week, Kinsale will return to 1601. A historical reenactment display using clothing and weapons from the period will take place at the Short Quay from 11am – 4pm. The display, organized by Kinsale Cultural & Heritage Society, will be provided by two renowned Historical Reenactment Groups, Oireas Historical Services, based in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and Lord Edwards Own, based in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.
The display will include military drilling by reenactors clothed and equipped appropriately for the period. Reenactors will interact with the public, explaining the life of soldiers at the time and how weapons and equipment were used. There will also be a display of the types of food eaten at the time.
The day will begin at 10am with two historical talks taking place at the new library in Kinsale, by Dr. Hiram Morgan and Paul O’Keeffe. Dr Morgan is one of the leading experts on the Battle Of Kinsale, having edited a book on the subject for the 400th anniversary in 2001. Paul O’Keeffe, together with Damien Shiels worked on the Kinsale Battlefield Project, which established the positions of many of the key points of the battle.
It is hoped that this year’s display will lead to bigger events culminating in 2026, the 425th anniversary of the Battle of Kinsale.
To book for the lecture (which is free) log onto Link for eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.com/e/we-march-on-kinsale-1601-tickets-990447975557