While visiting the lovely Irish town of Kinsale we had the opportunity to see Desmond Castle, called the French Prison by the locals. The castle was built in 1500 but it is well restored.

The first thing we noticed about the castle was the heavy oak door at the main entrance and the shield containing the Geraldine arms. The building has a variety of window forms.

The long history of this castle includes the fact that it was turned into a prison in the seventeenth century. Unfortunately most of the prisoners were French when there was a tragic fire, which killed 54 prisoners and gave it the name still used today. American sailors were held there during the American War of Independence.

The castle and Kinsale are well worth a visit. Kinsale is a lovely easygoing Irish town set in a beautiful countryside.