Baltimore
Geography
Situated eight miles down the Ilen
river from Skibbereen, Baltimore 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 a part of local life.
Although the quiet harbour may resemble the Aegean during
the summer, in winter violent storms blast in from the Atlantic. We are
protected from the worst of them by Carbery's famed Hundred Isles, including
Sherkin island and Cape Clear.
Fishing and the sea have always
played an important part in the history and economy of Baltimore. Because of its maritime tradition,
Baltimore is well known as one of the best places in the country for
water-sports, including sailing, windsurfing and deep sea
diving
Spring arrives earlier here than
almost anywhere else in Ireland, owing to the extreme southerly position and
warming influence of the Gulf Stream. Sharp frosts are rare, snow almost unheard
of, many shrubs grow well all year round and there is no month when you can't
find a flower somewhere for your enjoyment.
Local wildlife, including a number
of rare birds, also enjoy Baltimore’s 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.
As you sit on the harbour wall watching the sun slip down, the screech of gulls may herald the return of fishing trawlers and you might enjoy a stroll down to the pier to bargain for your supper! Alternatively, enjoy a meal cooked for you with special Baltimore flair in one of our friendly restaurants.
History
The area
around Baltimore and the Islands was settled by Celts 
almost 2000 years ago.
Despite
the aggressive O'Driscoll influence, a group of English settlers arrived in
Baltimore in 1607, having fled from south west England, where piracy was
punished by hanging - perhaps they felt safer in a place which appeared to
condone it! In 1609 the double-dealing Sir Fineen leased the harbour to Sir
Thomas Crooke, who attempted to organise the newcomers. However, Sir Fineen also
owed money to Sir Walter Coppinger, another large landowner, and Sir Walter
claimed the harbour in lieu of the debt.
The
infamous Sack of Baltimore took place whilst the arguing was continuing, on June
20th, 1631. Algerian pirates were guided into the harbour by a Dungarvan man.
The Algerians killed two people and took over a hundred people away with them as
slaves to North Africa.
The
allegation is sometimes made that the raid may even have been organised by the
O'Driscolls, who did not care to see their lands being taken over by English
settlers - You'd never know!
Baltimore
hit its lowest point after the Sack when, it is said, many people moved up river
to Skibbereen, where they felt less exposed to the vagaries of piracy.
Thereafter, Baltimore became important only as a rotten borough, returning two seats to the English Parliament. Lord Carbery, in whose gift these seats were, received £15,000 when they were abolished following the Act of Union.
Baltimore has a fast-growing reputation for sea angling.
Fishing is possible from the shore but for the best sport you need to go afloat.
There are several well-equipped boats operating from the harbour. Catches on the
offshore reefs and wrecks range from sharks and huge skate to cod and conger
eels.
The clear water and abundant sea
life also make ideal conditions for diving. There is fabulous diving on the
reefs around the Fastnet Rock and the Stags. There are also numerous wrecks,
ranging from a man o' war to the spectacular 160,000 ton ore-carrier 'Kowloon
Bridge'.
Boat trips also offer unrivalled
opportunities for watching seabirds and seals and it's not unusual to be visited
by a school of dolphins, whales or even a turtle.
There is a Diving Centre catering
for basic and advanced sub-aqua courses and offering advice and assistance to
independent divers or clubs.
Dive sites that are accessible from Baltimore include '78 Rock, Alondra, Amelia Rock, Asian, Carnavonshire, C rescent City, Croa Lea, Dido, Fastnet Rock, Gascanane Sound, Gokane Point, Hourtien, Illyrian, Kowloon Bridge, Lady Charlotte, Lough Hyne, Ludgate, Malmanger, Miami, Mignonette, Mignonette Bow, Minihaha, Mystique, Nestorian, North Harbour, Cape Clear, Pinnacle off West Calf, Robber Bank, Tonelunga Rock, Toorane Rocks, Trafraska, Tragumna, U-260.
Follow this link and click "Dive Sites" on the left column for further information and an interactive Map.