Tourist information leaflet"Explore Baltimore" with listing of 104 local tourism providers, 50 things to do and map of the area. These include the area in and around the village and nearby islands of Cape Clear, Heir or Hare and Sherkin.
Walking Routes
There are several walks identified on this leaflet with information about the local history, places of interest. See also the YouTube clip below right of the Lough Hyne Walk on and over Knockomagh Hill.
The Baltimore Heritage Trail brochure is also available in the tourism providers locally or can be downloaded here, together with the quiz.
Baltimore book
Tourist information book with details of activities, Dún na Séad Castle, the Sack of Baltimore, local RNLI lifeboats, the Fastnet Lighthouse, the Islands, boat building and history.
Baltimore is a great destination for a relaxing weekend, an action packed activity week or a base
for cruising and exploring Roaringwater Bay and the Islands of Cape Clear, Heir and Sherkin nearby with regular ferry services from
Baltimore harbour.
Walking - There are lovely walks on either the mainland or the islands but do check with private landowners for permission or stay on the main roads. Europe's oldest Nature Reserve "Lough Hyne" is great for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or walking (divers require a permit) and the walk up Knockomagh Hill is well worth the climb to gain panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean (see YouTube video clip below). There's a walking leaflet available for you to download.
Baltimore Heritage Trail - The Baltimore Tidy Towns have commissioned a Heritage Trail brochure and plaques throughout the village and to accompany this, there's a quiz (download here) you might like to do whilst walking the trail, particularly if you're with a small group and split into in teams. Please note that the questions are not in any particular order so you might want to read through these first before setting off on your walk. For the answers to the quiz email us.
Life Music - Baltimore's traditional Irish music festival organised by Declan McCarthy is the annual " Fiddle Fair" in May. This four day program of gigs, master-classes, workshops and well known bands playing in a number of locations over 4 days brings people from all over the world together. In addition there is a local trad group who play regularly in Casey's on Monday evenings, and year-round Casey's also have music on Saturdays and in the summer twice a week with different musicians. The Glebe Gardens & Café regularly has music sessions and concerts in the open-air amphitheater as well as drama performances and The Waterfront Bar also hosts bands mostly at weekends. Across the water, the Jolly Roger on Sherkin Island attracts well known bands and musicians and sessions here often go on until the small hours of the night...... Check the Baltimore website for up to date information.
Eating Out - Baltimore has a great choice of restaurants including gourmet dining, fish platters or steak and roasts, family restaurants with pizza & grill or the bars and pubs for lunch and evening meals. Most are within walking distance of Aquaventures Dive Centre and The Stone House B&B, some are on the islands of Cape Clear or Sherkin which involve ferry trips from the harbour. If you wish us to make a recommendation and/or reservation on your behalf, please give us a call.
Activities - 50 Things to Do - For non-diving family & friends there's a range of other activities and places to visit in and around Baltimore (download the Explore Baltimore brochure for all contact details and listing). These include kayaking, snorkelling, powerboating, boat-rides, sailing, whale & dolphin trips, angling, gardens to visit, castle, heritage centre, beaches, walks, cycling including bicycle hire, island trips, quad-biking, swimming pool & gym etc. For card-sharks there's regular get togethers for either playing 25 (Fridays) or bridge classes (Mondays) and in the winter months there's set-dancing on Tuesday evenings and darts on Sundays - all in Casey's Hotel. Check it out or let us arrange something for you beforehand.
Places to Visit - Baltimore is home to a 13th century Norman castle which is open to the public on certain weekends in the summer season. It fell into a ruined state in the middle of the 17th century, until recent works, which began in 1997 and continued until 2005 and the castle is once again occupied by an O'Driscoll / McCarthy descendant. It is the venue for clan gatherings, fiddle fair recitals and various talks and lectures.
For garden lovers, there Glebe Gardens & Cafe at the entrance to the village, 5 acres of organic garden running down to the sea. The practical yet pretty Potager contrasts with the slightly more formal Flower Garden, the boundary between the two being the quirky Waved Hedge. The natural abundance of the Meadow is reached via the curving grace of the Harold-Barry Walk which passes behind the Tunnels and the Henhouse. And there is lots more for you to explore.
A short drive to Skibbereen is well worthwhile in order to visit both the West Cork Arts Centre and Skibbereen Heritage Centre. The latter is a display about the Famine (the tragic period in the 1840s that is known in Irish History as the Great Hunger). Skibbereen was one of the worst affected areas, and the events of the era are depicted using local characters and events. They also have an interactive Lough Hyne Visitor Centre which explains the unique nature of this salt water marine lake, Ireland’s first Marine Nature Reserve. Other features include an archaeology trail of Skibbereen, the 1901 Census and information on Genealogy.
Local Shopping - although Baltimore is a small village, you'll still be able to purchase your stamps, postcards, local guide books, newspapers and small groceries in the Gala shop, more commonly referred to as "Cotters" on the Square. There's also an Island Craft Shop which only sells genuine local art & craft (summer season only) and of course Aquaventures has a shop for diving and snorkelling equipment plus related books, DVDs etc.
Only 2 miles from the village there's "Beacon Design" with local knitwear jumpers, throws, shawls etc. in beautiful colours and exceptional quality and the factory shop is open year-round so do pop in if you're looking for Bebhinn Marten's exclusive knitwear.
On Sunday afternoons there's a farmers marketoutside Casey's Pub, at the entrance to the village for home-baking, plants, arts & crafts (11:30 to 15:30 - except bank holiday weekends).
Beaches & Island Visits - Baltimore has a sandy beach at low tide in "The Cove" east facing and low water spring tides at the inner harbour itself, and a rocky beach adjacent to the RNLI Lifeboat Station, both just a few minutes walk from the dive centre and B&B. There's another rocky beach at Tramadroum, off the Beacon Road, facing west towards Sherkin. Beautiful clean white sandy beaches, great for a day out, are on either Sherkin Island or Heir (Hare) island which can be reached by ferry (10 mins to Sherkin or 20 mins to Heir). These are great for a day trip by ferry, which leave at regular intervals from the inner harbour of Baltimore. For further information please use the links shown here:
Alternatively, board the "MV Mystic Waters" for a 2-hour cruise through Roaringwater Bay - whilst enjoying a hot cuppa from the on-board shop you'll hear live commentary as the boat cruises through the waters around the islands in this Special Area of Conservation (SAC). On alternate days there's a River Cruise on the Ilen. These trips are subject to minimum numbers and weather - therefore check details by email or phone 087 2638470.
Other Services - Baltimore has a range of accommodation providers, bars, ferries and shops / services and a tremendous international mix of people and talents. There's a taxi company, beauty salon, hairdresser, art gallery, craft shop, groceries and newsagent, designer knitwear and the area is renowned for great food.
