The villages of West Cork love a party but Baltimore and the Islands have more festivals than anywhere else. We have so much to celebrate…   

Baltimore Fiddle Fair

During the Baltimore Fiddle Fair, – Small festival, big reputation - May 6th – 9th traditional Irish music fills Baltimore square and pubs.The Baltimore Fiddle Fair is a very unique festival. It consistently features a world-class line-up of national and international acts (worthy of any major city festival) yet present them in intimate settings in and around the beautiful seaside village of Baltimore in West Cork.  

Since its humble beginnings in 1992 it has grown and developed to become perhaps Irelands best-loved small music festival and has a reputation for innovation and excellence that encourages many visitors to come back every year from UK, Europe, USA and from all over Ireland.  

The combination of the truly exceptional talent on show, along with the stunning setting of our concerts and the friendliness of the local community means that many visitors return each year to sample the unique delights of this festival.  

The Baltimore Fiddle Fair is a jewel in the crown of Irish festivals – taking place on the second weekend of May every year, it is looked upon as being the ‘kick start’ of the Irish festival season and the beginning of the Summer Season in Baltimore. 

Highlights include the one and only Kevin Burke, The Alan Kelly Quartet featuring Tola Custy, legendary Clare fiddler Tony Linnane with Lúnasa's Kevin Crawford, Irelands finest harpist Laoise Kelly with the beautiful fiddler Michelle O'Brien, the three Glackin brothers Paddy, Kevin and Seamus and Irelands best 'Old Time' group I Draw Slow.

Some amazing fiddlers from Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, Andrea Beaton and Troy Macgillivray , Una Palliser and The Balkan Bears from Slovenia.

As usual there'll be a selection of top class workshops and numerous sessions going on all weekend.

Baltimore Fiddle Fair 2010 Programme
Thu 6th / 9pm - Dun Na Sead Castle - €21 Tony Linnane and Kevin Crawford

Fri 7th / 9pm - Marquee - €26 Una Palliser & the Balkan Bears, The Alan Kelly Quartet

Sat 8th / 1pm - Dun Na Sead - €16 Paul Bradley & Paul Meehan

Sat 8th / 3pm - Glebe Gardens - €16 I Draw Slow

Sat 8th / 9pm - Marquee - €26 Andrea Beaton & Troy MacGillivray, Paddy, Seamus, and Kevin Glackin

Sun 9th / 1pm - Dun Na Sead - €16 Michelle O'Brien & Laoise Kelly

Sun 9th / 3pm - Glebe Gardens - €16 Dan and Paul McDonald, Lazik

Sun 9th / 8.30pm - Marquee - €26 Kevin Burke, Lunasa

Baltimore Seafood & Wooden Boat Festival

On 28 – 30th May Homage is paid to the bounty of the sea during the annual Baltimore Seafood Festival. There is a variety of events including Music, Song & Irish Dancing in the Baltimore square and then the tradition of boatbuilding industry in Baltimore, Ireland, is remembered at the Wooden Boat Festival on the same weekend. 

O'Driscoll Clan & Midsummer Festival in Baltimore, West Cork

The facts and myths of the O'Driscoll clan are celebrated 25 – 27 th June. The charming coastal village of Baltimore is situated on one of the most south-westerly points of Ireland, renowned for its attractive landscape, unspoiled coastlines and Carbery’s Hundred isles.   

The O’ Driscolls having been having their annual Clan Gathering in this part of West Cork for the past twenty three years. Their name has long being associated with the area and in 1961 there was a one-off gathering attended by more than 400 people from around the world.  The gathering in its current format, held over the last weekend in June, has been held annually since 1986.  

The schedule for the clan gathering is organised as a festival known as the “O’ Driscoll Clan Mid Summer festival”, showcasing the area’s natural beauty and involving the local community. The festival has a full programme throughout the weekend. The registration of Clan members takes place in “Dun Na Sead” Castle followed by a talk on O’ Driscoll heritage by a local historian. There are boat trips to the nearby islands of Heir, Sherkin and Cape Clear as well as a trip around Carbery’s Hundred Isles. Back in Baltimore there is a lot of traditional Open Air music and dancing on the square each evening and on the last day (Sunday) the Chieftain addresses the Clan. A new chieftain is elected every two years and is chosen by the past chieftains along with the local committee that organises the clan gathering.     

On this day there is also entertainment and face painting for the children making it a real family day out?  

Actually, there is no Square in Baltimore, but in the Irish way, that’s what the Harbour front is referred to by the locals.    

The Clan Gathering, in many ways, is like a large Family Gathering. There’s that celebratory, party atmosphere of family and friends meeting up who don’t see each other too often, but who are aware of who’s who. There the exchange of stories about others not present this time. There’s a mix of ages. Some clan members bring their children with them. There’s singing, drinking, speeches, and dining.  

The “O” part of the surname was often dropped and the spelling of Driscoll changed by many O’ Driscolls once they had emigrated so even if you you are just plain Driscoll or one of its other versions  you will be welcomed into the clan. Everyone is considered a cousin.   

But why would you want to travel many miles – from Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, The United States and Wales to meet lots of people who have the same name as you but are not closely related. Many feel it like being part of an extended family all returning home (to their roots) to meet up with each other. Somewhere back along the line all of the O’ Driscolls originated in the area. They get to feel a part of the local community. A lot of those attending are back for the umpteenth time and intend continuing to return. Many build their annual holiday around the gathering.    

Baltimore itself has a permanent population of just over two hundred, although it grows every summer with visitors who cannot help but return and who are now very much part of local life.  

Fishing and the Sea have always played an important in the history and economy of the village. Many of the ruined castles standing sentinel on lonely headlands are the ancient homes of the piratical O’ Driscoll clan, who once held sway over a thousand square miles of south-west Ireland.  

Although the quiet harbour resemble the Aegean during the summer, in winter violent storms blast in from the Atlantic. However the harbour and village is protected from the worst of them by Carbery’s Hundred isles, including Sherkin Island and Cape Clear.   

Because of its maritime tradition, Baltimore is well known as one of the best places in the country for water-sports, including sailing, windsurfing, sea angling and diving. You can even learn how to do these while visiting.    

Spring arrives earlier here than almost anywhere else in Ireland, owing to our extreme southerly position and warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Sharp frosts are rare, snow almost unheard of, and as you will see from nearby gardens many shrubs grow well all year round and there is no month where you can’t find a flower somewhere for your enjoyment.   

Local wildlife, including a number of rare birds, also enjoy our mild climate. Out at sea, perhaps on the way to picnic on an uninhabited island you’ll often spot Seals sunning themselves on wave washed rocks or Whales and Dolphins following your boat. With plenty of restaurants and pubs in the village and nearby locality there is no shortage of places to eat and drink. With so much to offer in the locality there is no better place to come for a relaxing holiday.   

Baltimore Regatta

There are races to be won at Sherkin Regatta, Baltimore Regatta (1 – 2nd August), and Cape Clear Regatta Aug 4th  

Of all the attractions that Baltimore offers, sailing is possibly the best known, but sailing in Baltimore doesn't just mean expensive off-shore cruises, crewed by visiting yachtsmen. At the core of the sport are the numerous dinghy sailors who find the harbour and the islands an unbeatable source of relaxation and fun.

The true delight of sailing in Baltimore is to visit some of the many islands which dot the waters of Roaringwater Bay. A beautiful summer's day; a picnic in one of the coves between Baltimore and Schull; a voyage to Cape Clear or Heir. Heavenly!  

If you're not a keen sailor, maybe try kayaking (sea or lake) or hire a boat with an engine to explore the harbour.    

Cape Clear Storytelling Festival

Stories are told on Cape Clear in September Sept 3, 4, & 5th.   

Baltimore West Cork Sea-angling Festival

There are fish to be caught during the Baltimore Sea-angling Festival Aug 26-29th.

South West Ireland's longest-running deep sea angling competition is noted for exciting fishing and an atmosphere of friendly rivalry. It is open to all and usually attracts anglers from all over Ireland and abroad. A separate one-day shark fishing contest will be followed by a three-day bottom fishing competition for fish like conger, ling, pollack, cod, common skate, etc. Trophies and prizes will be presented at a prize-giving dinner on the last night. Anglers can enter for as many or as few days as they wish as there will also be daily cash prizes presented after fishing each day.
The fishing is catch-and-return with results determined on a points-per-fish basis so fish can be returned alive to the sea. In addition, sharks and skate caught will be tagged as part of the Central fisheries Board tagging programme for purposes of scientific research. The boats employed are all licensed and fully-equipped charter boats with qualified skippers.  

Baltimore Walking Weekend

To finish off the summer season Baltimore Walking Weekend will take place 1st 2nd & 3rd of October. 

Baltimore, Heritage Festival

The rich Heritage of the Baltimore area of West Cork is explored April.   

Celebrate Baltimore’s unique cultural and maritime history with activities, drama, old crafts, walks and talks on shipbuilding, the pirates of West Cork, dance, music and food, boat trips and cruises and much, much more. Following on from its success last year, “Now and Then” traditional crafts fair will be held, with rope making, net & sail mending, lobster pot making, wood turning, art, lace, patchwork, spinning, weaving, felt, knitwear, crochet, butter making, Carrigeen Moss as a dessert, breads and honey. For the energetic visitor there’s sailing, kayaking, power-boating, whale-watching, herb gardening, guided walks and Seek out the marine wildlife with a cruise on the River Ilen, all hosted by people who clearly love what they do. Alternatively, visit “Dún na Seád,” a restored 13th century castle and enjoy the outdoor display of vintage cars, bicycles and agricultural transport.    

Discover the richness of our traditions through historical talks and walks; enlighten yourself on archaeology and place names, listen to our shanakee telling stories of pirates in West Cork.  

Baltimore Heritage Festival offers a choice of enjoyable family entertainment over the weekend.

Activities by local enterprises include kayaking with Atlantic Sea Kayaking; scenic rib rides in the harbour and to nearby islands with Baltimore Sea Safari; River Ilen Cruise or Ten Island Tour with the Sherkin Island Ferry company; marine wildlife tours with Whale Watch West Cork; sailing on a 50’ yacht to the Skeams or Horse Island with Baltimore Yacht Charters. Due to popular demand, these all need to be prebooked and are of course weather dependant. You can also avail of the special swim concession in the Baltimore Community Leisure Centre or play lawn croquet at Inish Beg Estate.

On Sunday afternoon there’s the “Now and Then” traditional trade and craft exhibition in the Sailing Club. Displays include lobsterpot and basket weaving, bronze / copper craft (which in the Bronze Age brought traders from the Mediterranean hereabouts, who fetched local copper to be combined with Cornish tin for bronze), jewellery and stained glass-making, wool spinning, crochet and knitting, portrait art, butter, soda breads, local honey and jams, chutneys, wine and Irish carrigeen moss dessert (free entry). Outside the Sailing Club will be a display of vintage cars, bicycles and agricultural transport.
Those wanting to stretch their legs may join the Baltimore Tidy Town group for their walk and unveiling of the Heritage Trail together with the launch of an accompanying brochure. New plaques give details of historical buildings and structures. It will be viewed with a local guide during an easy stroll through the village, starting Sunday 2 p.m. at Casey’s.

Over the weekend, local bars and restaurants will have live music and include traditional Irish choices on their menu. All proceeds during the festival are for the Baltimore Community Playgroup.