Baltimore, County Cork

Baltimore ( _ga. Dún na Séad) is a harbour town in western County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. Although the name Baltimore is an anglicisation of Irish words ( _ga. "Baile an Tí Mhóir") meaning "Town of the Big House", the Irish-language name for Baltimore is that of the O'Driscoll castle, "Dún na Séad" ("Fort of the Jewels"). The recently restored castle is open to the public and overlooks the town. The town's name is properly pronounced differently than Baltimore in the USA. (Bal-timore rather than Ball-timore).

History

Baltimore was sacked in 1631 by Algerian pirates, and reminders of the incident still exist in the form of pub names, like "The Algiers Inn". It is believed that Napoleon obtained his famous white mare from the area.

The title of Baron Baltimore was derived from the Irish Baltimore. In turn, the now much bigger and more well known Baltimore, Maryland in the United States got its name from Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, and is thus indirectly named for the Irish one.

Places of interest

One of the most notable landmarks in the area is the Baltimore Beacon, also known as Lot's Wife. This large stone structure at the entrance to Baltimore Harbour was originally built at the order of the British government after the 1798 rebellion. It was part of a series of lighthouses and beacons dotted around the Irish coast, forming a warning system.

Tourism

Baltimore attracts many visitors from within Ireland and the population booms in summer months due to the large number of summer homes that have been built in the area in the last ten years. Baltimore also attracts visitors from elsewhere in Europe and the world, particularly those interested in seafaring.Baltimore has also became a very popular venue for scuba diving, due largely to the number and variety of shipwrecks in the bay. These include a World War Two submarine (The U-260) and the bulk carrier Kowloon Bridge.

Transport

*Ferries sail from Baltimore to Schull further along the coast, to Sherkin Island, and to the more remote Cape Clear Island
*Nearest airport Cork Airport
*Baltimore railway station opened on 2 May 1893, but finally closed on 1 April 1961. [cite web | title=Baltimore station | work=Railscot - Irish Railways | url=http://www.railscot.co.uk/Ireland/Irish_railways.pdf | accessdate=2007-09-11]

ee also

* List of towns in Ireland
* Baltimore (Parliament of Ireland constituency) (to 1800)
* List of RNLI stations

External links

* [http://www.baltimore-ireland.com/ Baltimore official site]
* [http://www.baltimorelifeboat.ie Baltimore RNLI Lifeboat]
* [http://www.baltimorewoodenboatfestival.com Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival]
* [http://www.coastsandreefs.net/coastssite.php?c=6 Marine life at Baltimore coast]
* [http://www.baltimore-sailing-club.com Baltimore Sailing Club]

References