YouTuber Josie Rose recently posted a video in which she detailed how she was “surviving” the Irish winter in her van before singing the praises of a “pretty little” harbour town
Matt Davies Trendswatch Reporter
12:35, 31 Dec 2025
Josie Rose visited a “pretty little harbour town” and was stunned by a striking feature (stock)
(Image: Getty Images)
A vlogger who set off to experience an iconic coastal route in Ireland has been left blown away by one “genius” feature in a “pretty little” harbour town. Josie Rose, a YouTuber who shares content about her exploits in a self-converted van, recently posted a video detailing how she was “surviving” the Irish winter in her rolling home.
In her video, posted on her 333k-subscriber strong Bus Off with Josie channel on December 27, Josie explained that she’d opted to brave the turbulent weather over winter for a specific reason.
Josie was drawn to the “stunning” Wild Atlantic Way, a 1,600-mile, nine-county coastal route that spans the entire length of the Emerald Isle’s western coastline, offering up many local points of interest and spectacular ocean views.
Yet it didn’t take long for Josie to come across something particularly eye-catching. On the first leg of her journey, she visited a “pretty little harbour town” and was left stunned by a unique, striking feature.
Josie was “really noticing” one particular aspect of the town (stock)
(Image: Getty Images)
She was, of course, talking about the “proper little” harbour town of Kinsale in County Cork, in the far south of the country. She began by discussing a bit of local history, touching on a “huge sea battle” between the Spanish and English in 1601.
Josie was likely referring to the Siege of Kinsale on December 24, 1601, reportedly involving a Spanish armada’s attempt to conquer England via Ireland. Still, there was something else about the town that Josie was “really noticing.”
She said: “But the thing I’m really noticing about Kinsale right now is the colours. Like, look at the colours. Every street is painted in these bright pinks, oranges, greens, blues, and honestly, I think it’s genius, especially when winters here are long, dark and very wet.
“Like, why not fight back with bright, coloured houses? It’s very windswept and interesting, like Billy Connolly would say.”
Josie decided to spend a couple of days in the town, “easing” herself into her winter van life, describing how it was “lovely” to wander around Kinsale, visit the boutiques, and enjoy the cafes.
Josie visited the “proper little” harbour town of Kinsale in County Cork (stock)
(Image: Getty Images)
In further comments about the town, Josie observed that visiting “pretty little harbour towns” and grabbing a “warm cup of something” served as one of the “ultimate coping mechanisms” for life in a van.
Initially a medieval fishing port, Kinsale is renowned for its history and colourful streets, according to the local tourism site Kinsale.ie. Situated 25km from Cork City and Cork International Airport, the town is described as the “gateway to scenic ‘West Cork’.”
Indeed, the site went on to claim that visitors are left “captivated by its spectacular waterfront setting.”
Meanwhile, some of the highlights tourists can expect in Kinsale include a “diverse culinary scene” and many independent boutiques.