April: Heritage Festival
May: Fiddle Fair
June: Midsummer Festival
August: Baltimore Regatta
August: Deep Sea Angling Festival

From Baltimore village, the walk to the beacon takes about twenty minutes. From the top, you have excellent views of the harbour, Sherkin Island and the south coast.

Baltimore Sharks

During May and June, the waters around the south coast abound with Basking Sharks.

On a ferry crossing to Clare island you maybe lucky to see sharks in the open waters. Inside Baltimore harbour dolphins are often seen.

Fastnet Lighthouse
On a clear day the Fastnet lighthouse is clearly seen in the distance from the beacon. The lighthouse is about 20 km off shore.

With its fine sheltered bay, Schull is ideal for watersports. But you can easily visit the islands or the Fastnet Rock and in the evening enjoy the ceoil agus craic

The village of Schull is named after the medieval monastic school of Scoil Mhuire, though it's church is in ruins.

Like quite  a few of  the bays on the south coast, Schull's harbour is safe and well protected from winter storms.

Fishing is still a major activity in Schull.

The town has a modern fish processing plant to cater for the local and international fishing fleets that work the waters off the south coast.

With it's safe and large harbour, water sports is naturally a major pastime for visitors. Boats can be hired locally and sailing courses are run through the summer period.

Being a country town, Schull has a country market. Enjoy meeting the local producers as they sell their cheeses, butters, bread and other home made produce including excellent jams when in season.

The winding twisting road from Baltimore to Schull, takes you along a tidal estuary.

At low tide the mudflats can be exposed for a number of miles in land.

When you reach Skibbereen, take the N71 left heading towards Ballydehob.

Some of the smaller roads are very quiet and good for cycling.

Schull Ferries

Fancy a trip to an island ? Then hop on board a ferry at Schull and take the 40 minute trip to Cape Clear.

The ferry captain has a wealth of local knowledge and will keep you enthralled on the journey.

On the horizon about 9 miles out from Schull lies the Fastnet lighthouse. At night you can clearly see its beam lighting the sky.

Fastnet Lighthouse
Construction of  the lighthouse commenced at the end of the 19th century and became operational in the

Construction
The lighthouse is built from granite originating from Cornwall in England.

The tower has over 80 rows of solid concrete blocks.

Fastnet Cost
Construction work on the light house took approx. 7 years and the project cost 90,000£. The lighthouse was manned, though never womanned until 1989 when it became automatic.

Fastnet Tour
Once a week starting in June, the Schull Ferry KaryKraft does an evening tour of the rock.

The trip lasts 2 and half hours and is excellent. The captain provides a running dialogue for most of the trip.

When he tires of talk he breaks out into song, plays an accordion and is often joined by the passengers.

Visit Ireland's most southerly island , just 25 minutes ferry trip from Baltimore or Schull.

The island of Cape Clear lies about 30/40 minutes ferry ride from Schull and Baltimore.

During summer months the ferries run a number of times daily. Winter storms can effect the crossings from late October to early spring.

The island is the most southerly of Ireland's populated islands, with a population of greater than 200.

The island hosts a number of festivals throughout the year – including the Cape Clear Island International Story Telling Festival in September.

Whale
Whale and dolphin watching have become popular and the local boats do regular sea trips to locate these pods.

Diving
Due to an abundance of wrecks in the area, diving is popular both for the experienced and novice divers.

The island has a number of small beaches and rocky coves and is relatively quiet even in the busy periods of July and August.

Sherkin Island is only about ten minutes by ferry from Baltimore.

The ferries go regularly and cost about 10 euro return.

There are few cars on the island, which makes it excellent for walking and cycling.

The island has accommodation, food and two bars, so you wont starve.

The island is also home to a number of artists.

So maybe you will find the painting you have dreamed off.

The island of Sherkin has the ruins of Franciscan monasterydating back to the 15h century.

The ruins are managed by the Office of Public works.

Sherkin Music
During the summer months the bars on Sherkin often have live music.

The ferry times from Baltimore are arranged to bring you to and back from the music sessions.

Sherkin Island Flora
The island has a wide range of flora – playing host to many migrating birds, it's waters being visited by schools of dolphin and pods of whales.

Just ten minutes from the mainland, you can enjoy almost car free roads, sandy beaches and some good music and art.

The island has a wide range of flora – playing host to many migrating birds, it's waters being visited by schools of dolphin and pods of whales.

Just ten minutes from the mainland, you can enjoy almost car free roads, sandy beaches and some good music and art

Make your way via Crookhaven and Barley cove and see the most westerly light house in Ireland.

Crookhaven is Ireland's most south westerly village.

The village comprises a number of pubs all serving good food, a restaurant, craft shop all on the harbour, along with a number of houses.

The harbour at Crookhaven  is another safe harbour and frequented by the sailing community.

The harbour is well sheltered and provides protection from summer storms.

During the steam ship era, Crookhaven was the last point of contact for ships crossing the Atlantic to America.

Barley Cove
There are a number of fine sandy beaches close to Crookhaven.

Cockle beach is at the head of the bay and Barley cove lies facing the Atlantic.

The area is popular with families during the summer.

Mizen Head
Mizen Head is Irelands most south westerly point.

A lighthouse is perched on a tiny island at the tip of the head.

The drive to Mizen head is about 4 miles from Barley cove and offers some lovely views of the bay.

Close to the lighthouse there is an interpretative centre which has some excellent exhibits and lots of information about the lighthouse.

Sailing, good food, relaxing - then spend sometime in Glandore and Union Hall.

The village is small and over looks a long safe bay with plenty of sheltered moorings and is excellent location to learn to sail.

Union Hall

On the opposite side of Glandore Harbour lies Union Hall.

This is a small working fishing village and home to some well painted colourful boats.

The village overlooks a small lagoon.

The village is a nice place to act as base when touring the area.

It has some good restaurants which open out onto the water front.