West Cork on the Wild Atlantic Way
On the Golden Spur of this 2500 km route along Ireland's Atlantic coastline where the land merges into the sea Baltimore features Dun an Oir (castle of gold), Dun na Sead (castle of Jewels), Cailin Our (Golden Girl ferry), Silver Strand on Sherkin island and its internationally famous golden sunsets. Baltimore was an important pirate centre during the seventeenth century Golden Age of piracy and still harbours many sunken wrecks and stories of hidden treasure.
Go and experience the wild, unspoilt, raw beauty of rugged coastlines, cliffs , seascapes, beaches, food, music, festivals, maritime history and adventure. Aquaventures' team and tourism colleagues in the village offer island visits, sailing, boat trips to the Fastnet, diving, snorkelling, kayaking, walking, horse & pony riding, angling, whale-watching, garden and castle visits.
Go Wild and get Wet
“We discovered the thrill of flying through the rapids, leaving us breathless with excitement to do it again and again.” - comments by Mark Webber and his teenage children on holiday in Baltimore, West Cork.
Experience uniquely rich and colourful flora and fauna in a magical sub-aqua world. You can snorkel in Europe’s oldest marine nature reserve – there is a tidal gap between Lough Hyne and the sea - wearing a warm diving suit.
Aquaventures specialises in snorkel rental and diving charter from a superbly-run centre in Baltimore on the Wild Atlantic Way, renowned for its spectacular coastline, colourful reefs and wrecks. Let us submerge you in an amazing aqua-venture!
Things to do
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.
The Wild Atlantic Way
The longest defined coastal touring route in the world - 2500 km of coastline from West Cork to Donegal where the land and sea merge. Baltimore is the Wild Atlantic Way’s golden spur with Dún an Óir (castle of gold), Dún na Séad ( castle of jewels), the Cailín Óir (or golden girl - a ferry boat), not to mention pirate treasures and sunken wrecks. Go and experience the wild, unspoilt, raw beauty of rugged coastlines, cliffs , seascapes, beaches, food, music, festivals, maritime history and adventure. We offer island visits, sailing, boat trips to the Fastnet, diving, snorkelling, kayaking, walking, horse & pony riding, angling, whale-watching, garden and castle visits.
Why not start your adventure in Baltimore & the Islands and let us take your breath away!
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 with 3 looped marked walks in and around the village which include the Hill Loop (lovely views over the harbour and islands), Coney Island via the Cove stoney beach (at the far western side of Coney Island you may find the black graves - sailors who drowned in the area many many years ago, and as their religion was suspected to be non-catholic they were burried clsoe to the shore overlooking the harbour entrance) and finally the Beacon Walk up to Lots Wife. All three walks start from the Ferry Pier and are connected to one another if you wanted to combine all 3 which is then just over 6 km.
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 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 Jacob's Bar / The Waterfront (Sunday evenings 5pm to 8pm). Glebe Gardens & Café regularly has music sessions and concerts in the open-air amphitheater and Dun na Sead Castle also hosts drama performances and small concerts. The local choir features regularly at local events. 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 (Michelin Star), fish platters or steak and roasts, family restaurants with pizza & grill or the bars and pubs for lunch and evening meals. Almost all are within 500 mtrs / walking distance of Aquaventures 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 contract bridge (Mondays). Check it out or let us arrange something for you beforehand.
The Wild Atlantic Pool & Fitness Centre - By the Community, For the Community
The Wild Atlantic Pool & Fitness Centre - By the Community, For the Community. The Wild Atlantic Pool & Fitness Centre located opposite the Stone House B&B and Aquaventures Dive Centre has a 16.5m Swimming Pool, Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi and Gymnasium for fun, activities, aqua aerobic classes, swim improvers lessons, circuit training, relax or train hard and improve your fitness. Please note that access to the gym is restricted to over 17s and only during public opening hours. In the pool swim hats must be worn.
Places to Visit
Baltimore is home to a 13th century Norman castle called Dun na Sead which is open to the public daily from May to September. 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 is Inish Beg Estate, just 4 km from Baltimore on the edge of the River Ilen. This estate boasts beautiful woodlands, parkland, farmland, gardens and foreshore and are part of the West Cork Garden Trail and listed in a book about the best 100 gardens of Ireland. For children there is a pirate trail or fairy trail in the woods.
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 and Yellow Door Gallery which sells genuine local art & craft and Ballymacrown Gallery (summer season only). And of course Aquaventures has a shop for diving and snorkelling equipment plus related books, DVDs, clothing etc. Only 2 miles from the village there's "Ballymacrown Cottage Gallery" by local artist Anne Marie McEninerney. Next door to the Gallery is the Rose Perfume & Gardens. On Sunday mornings year round there's a farmers market in the Baltimore community hall.
Beaches & Island Visits
Baltimore has a 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 and another one called Trafraska facing south both about 2kms. Beautiful clean white sandy beaches, great for a day out, are on either Sherkin Island which can be reached by ferry (10 mins to Sherkin).
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). 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 an art galleries, craft shop, groceries and newsagent, designer knitwear and the area is renowned for great food.
Festivals and other events that are hosted locally for up to date information visit www.baltimore.ie
