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THIS CHART PRESENTS 17th CENTURY KINSALE at the height of its importance when sailing ships of England, Spain, France and Holland were at war for the treasures of the New World. Kinsale’s status then as the most important harbour in the region was noted in cartography and comment alike; ‘one of the noblest harbours in Europe’ said the Earl of Orrery; ‘laying in the road of the Chieftest trade in all the Worlde’ noted another; and even to the eye of King Charles II himself, ‘a place of great Resort for His Majesties ships of war’.

Although in England King Charles could take reassurance from Kinsale he knew that he also should take care. For him it sparked warm feelings because it was in St Multose church there his cousin Rupert had first proclaimed him King after Cromwell’s axe had severed his father’s neck in London. But now with England’s population outnumbered four to one by France, Charles knew that in an enemy’s hands the mention of this perfect harbour, windward and to his rear, could send a shiver through his island kingdom. Memories were still fresh of the Battle of Kinsale, in 1601, when the landing there of the last Spanish Armada had triggered reactions in England not unlike the Cuban missile crisis in another place and time.