Baltimore & Sherkin Island

Nestled in west County Cork is the town of Baltimore. It is older than and unrelated to the Baltimore in Maryland (USA), but does feel a kinship with the American city of the same name. Bushe Bar has Baltimore Orioles baseball hats hanging behind the bar and when an American is detected a common question seems to be whether you hail from the other Baltimore.

A delightful shop rests by the Baltimore docks and has work by local artists. Beautiful sweaters, pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and other hand-crafted items grace the small shop.

The ferry ride to Sherkin Island is rather short and pleasant. Tickets cost about 10 Euro per person round-trip. Even the beer delivery truck must take a ferry over. There are beautiful coves, beaches, and fields on the island. It almost reminded me of Chincoteague Island… almost.

We walked from the ferry dock straight along the road (taking the left fork just after the ruins) then passing the little food/beverage stand and going past the coves and fields to reach an ocean beach. Beautiful and there are rocks encrusted in a mussel community.