Protests
Since the golf course opened, access to the Old Head of Kinsale has been restricted to golfers and guests only, and there has been a long-running campaign for the restoration of public access organised by the Free the Old Head of Kinsale Campaign. This campaign has mainly taken the format of "People's Picnics", some of them involving "incursions" onto the headland and holding the picnics at the Old Head lighthouse.
The Old Head's transformation from public beautyspot to private golf course has been controversial. It is rumoured that to get planning permission for the golf course, the owner had to allow the public access but since 1997 very few general public are allowed on the course. The golf course has also been criticised for being elitist and is one of the most expensive golf courses in Ireland.
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