BALTIMORE looks to the Summer Season

Of the many holiday destinations worldwide one area to consider for a short spring break or long summer holiday could be the picturesque West Cork region which has proved to be a popular tourist destination in recent years. Possessed of a beautiful and varied landscape often dotted with historical landmarks and a celebrated coastline that offers a wide range of water-based adventure and leisure activities and with a strong cultural heritage apparent in its many charming towns, villages and remote islands, the area is well worth a look. As well as its diverse scenery, the area has also become known as a foodie destination with a noted tradition in producing artisan foods and local produce with some top class dining and drinking establishments. A devotion to the full gamut of the arts embodied in a number of festivals and events celebrating local traditions and local artists completes its many attractions.
One of the regions that embodies all these attributes would be the scenic coastal fishing village of Baltimore and its surrounding hinterland. The charming coastal village of Baltimore holds a number of activities and attractions throughout the year ranging from cookery courses, art, crafts, music and traditional skills courses to its year round watersports (whalewatching, diving, kayaking etc).
The Inish Beg estate on the River Ilen near Baltimore regularly runs many short cookery and specialist baking courses throughout the year as well as providing top class accommodation and activities for visitors.
In the weeks ahead serious anglers and people interested in fishing have much to look forward to as the game and freshwater angling and fishing season will start to kick off shortly and many rivers and lakes around the West Cork region particularly in the Ilen River in Skibbereen that runs to Baltimore offer ideal conditions for freshwater anglers. For the seafaring and shore angler though Baltimore harbour provides the ideal opportunity in its sheltered shores for some great shore angling opportunities. And for the more adventurous types the vast coastline and coastal waters provide the perfect conditions for successful sea angling. Deep sea anglers of a competitive nature may take note of the Deep Sea Angling competition held annually in Baltimore in late August.
There are a range of other events and things to do in the West Cork Region while staying in Baltimore. Inland in neighbouring areas lie a number of leisure pursuits such as horse-riding and golf. In Baltimore itself other coastal and water based activities such as river and sea kayaking, sailing, diving and whale-watching continue on, reaching the pinnacle of popularity in the late spring/summer months due to the longer summer days. There are ferries to the surrounding carbery islands of Cape Clear, Heir and Sherkin and the landscape of Baltimore and beyond is worth exploring. Along with the scenic sights of its countryside, Baltimore has a distinct cultural seafaring heritage and its dining particularly its seafood menus and evening leisure (music and pubs) facilities are world class, meaning this seafaring village in the West Cork region offers wide-ranging year round touring options and attractions.
With the first of Baltimore’s nine noted festivals, the Baltimore Heritage Festival , starting in the weekend of the 9-11th April and the summer country markets in the grounds of local hotel Caseys of Baltimore mid April. The start of spring looks set to herald the many attractions of Baltimore and kickstart the tourist season.