Baltimore, Cork - touring & music

Subject: Baltimore, Cork
From: Raggytash
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:44 AM

We're thinking of basing our next tour of Ireland in Baltimore, County Cork, not an area of Ireland I know very well. We have visited but only to stop for a pint. Anybody stayed there who could pass on information. The trip will probably be in April next year.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: MartinRyan
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 05:52 AM

West Cork is a wonderful area to explore slowly - best on a bicycle or in a small boat! Full of nooks and crannies, all worth a visit. Great food, wildlife, scenery.... I'm not that familiar with the traditional music and singing scene there nowadays - though I think there's a singers' club based in nearby Skiberreen. In summer, music tends to be directed at tourists so you may have to shop around a little.

Sallies into nearby Kerry, of course, well worth the effort.

Regards

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 08:46 AM

Had a great time last year in Schull, about 20 miles from Baltimore on the other side of Roaringwater Bay. There was music in a lot of the pubs on the main street. Also went on an evening boat trip to Fastnet Lighthouse, and the boatman sang and played the squeezebox on the way back.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Good Soldier Schweik
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 09:05 AM

there is a friday night session in Ballydehob,it is an open session.it is normally in one of four pubs ,Rosies,Sandboat,OBriens,or Vincent Coughlans,contact me by pm nearer the time
TUESDAY NIGHT open session in the paragon Skibbereen,but quite late starting 10 oclock start.
Bantry,SUNDAY NIGHT Maritime,TUESDAY NIGHT Ma Murphys,these too are sessions not gigs.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: greg stephens
Date: 07 Nov 09 - 12:31 PM

Definitely visit Cape Clear and Sherkin, the two islands adjacent to Baltimore and reachable by ferry from the village. If you are lucky you might even catch a performance by the Boat Band. Who will certainly be at the Kilcrohane Festival, fairly near Baltimore, which happens over the Easter weekend.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Good Soldier Schweik
Date: 08 Nov 09 - 08:47 AM

Bean An Tí Áine Meirbhic. William. Corner Bar, Skibbereen, West Cork, Ireland Tel:[phone]
singers club is at the corner bar.
I have been booked there twice,there are some good singers there

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Raggytash
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 03:49 AM

Thanks for the info so far, there will be 10 of us, most who either sing or play (a variety of instruments between us... guitar, banjo, madolin, bouzouki, Bodhran)We're a walking session in oursleves. The evening boat trip out to Fastnet sounds right up my street and I'll have to make a list of all the venues mentioned so far. We travel by minibus and descend in vast hordes on unsuspecting locals, who are quietly minding their own business, chatting having a pint or three only to be rudely interupted by us lots hell bent on drinking and singine and playing and more drinking ............ to date they have been extremely kind and hospitalable.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Good Soldier Schweik
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 07:41 AM

you will be very welcome in Ballydehob.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: mandotim
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 08:15 AM

Make sure to to go to Schull, there's lots of music and a planetarium there, plus great fresh fish off the quay. There's a fantastic, deserted beach at Barley Cove, and the Mizen Head Lighthouse (now a small museum) is worth a visit.One more recommendation; Sullivan's bar at Crookhaven serves the best fish chowder I've ever had.
Tim

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Fiolar
Date: 10 Nov 09 - 08:19 AM

While you are in West Cork and if you like history, don't forget to visit the following places. Clonakilty where there is a statue of Michael Collins which was unveiled in 2002. Kilmichael ambush site which is north of Dunmanway town. In Ballydehob (mentioned above) there is a statue of Danno Mahony who was the world heavyweight wrestling champion in 1935. Baltimore is famous for an event which took place in June 1631 when it was raided by Algerian pirates and which is described in Thomas Davis's poem "The Sack of Baltimore" and finally visit Gougane Barra where the River Lee rises and where St. Finbarr, Cork's patron saint lived. There are dozens of places which you'll find of interest.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Raggytash
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 03:54 AM

I've visited Gougane Barra a couple of times, The pub at Crookhaven has a poster which my good lady misread, she thought it said that is was a port from which barley, wheat and cats were exported it actually read barley, wheat and oats. Mizen Head is fantastic the rock formation there are truly awesome. I am familiar with the area in general, however much can be learned from asking other people, despite the fact I've holidayed in Glengariff on at least three occasions I'm sure there is so much that I've missed out on, for example the planetarium and the statue of Danno Mahony who prior to today I've never heard of. (Time for some googling!)

Thanks for all your help

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 11 Nov 09 - 08:36 PM

I loved West Cork on my recent trip there (almost as much as Connemara, which I fell completely in love with), and particularly Mizen Head. Stayed at a magical place in Schull, and really enjoyed it - although I tried hard to track down music in the town and couldn't find any! was in September, though, and I had the impression that there's lots in summertime. Never saw a planetarium there though - will have to find that next time.

The beach at Barley Cove was gorgeous, though wouldn't call it deserted - a few people when I was there, plus a hotel and chalets on the hill above it.

Had a very special time on the peninsula.

Here are a couple of good links:
Singers sessions in Ireland
Mudcat thread I started for my trip this year

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: GUEST,freespiritceol
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 09:42 AM

HI

If you are down this way, try and call to the top of coom for a session, you will be made very welcome, also the st patricks weekend at Glengarriff should be a lot of fun.

Hope to meet up again when you are over, have a brilliant trip.

All the best

John & Marie

Free Spirit Music Festival
St Patrick's Day Weekend 2010
Glengarriff County Cork

Friday 19/03/10
Opening Session at Bernard Harrington's Bar From 9.00 till ……………..
All Welcome anything goes!! Hosted by John & Marie FREE SPIRIT

Saturday20/03/10
Open Mike/Open Air (weather permitting!) from 3.00 —5.30 come and show off your talents , all welcome, singers/musicians/dancers/poets/storytellers/Comedians……..

6.00— 8.00 Hiring fair looking to hire musicians for the coming season? Want to see the best local talent? This is the place for you come and see and listen to what's on offer. Looking for Gigs? Come and showcase your act.
(5 euro entry fee. Register at maple leaf bar before 5.00 on the day)

9.00—Late Concert at Maple Leaf Bar Starring the best and brightest local and visiting talent. Come along and be entertained ! or better still take part! Have you got the Glengarriff factor?

Sunday 21/03/10
Lunchtime Barbeque 1.00—3.00 with live music and very special guests Outside if weather permits, inside if not.

Survivors Session (sore Fingers Time) 6.00—????????????

Interested in taking part? Contact John & Marie [e-mail]
Tel [phone]

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork
From: mandotim
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 11:44 AM

Back to food; they make two fantastic hard cheeses in Schull, called Gabriel and Desmond. Sort of like parmesan or pecorino, but better than either imho. There's the Marconi museum at Crookhaven too; he sent the first telegraph signal across the Atlantic from there.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 03:43 AM

Hi Tim,

One must do when in that area is a visit to the English market in Cork city, if you like cheeses that the place to go, the stalls are amazing as are the fish stalls

Raggytash

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: mandotim
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 03:57 AM

Hi Nick; did that last time I was there! Reminded me a bit of Borough Market in London. Kinsale is worth it on the food front as well, of course.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: Raggytash
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 06:36 AM

Just thinking Tim, on the first occasion staying in Glengariff I thought I would go down the Dursey Head and take the cable car over to the island. I was soon put off that idea when the cable car came across from the island carrying a cow had had obviously been a little nervous on the crossing ........... you can guess the rest! The second chance to cross was thwarted by the two workmen standing on top of the car braying at bits of it with lump hammers, didn't bother the third time, sort of lost interest.... well there's no bar on Dursey that I know of.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: Good Soldier Schweik
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 09:18 AM

yes indeed

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 12:42 PM

A new cable car was commissioned lately, IIRC. My favourite memory of the old one was of sheep droppings on the floor and a bottle of Holy Water pinned to the door!

Regards
p.s. There's a major birdwatching twitch out there at the moment.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: Good Soldier Schweik
Date: 13 Nov 09 - 04:37 PM

well they will be getting very wet.

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: Rog Peek
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 04:50 AM

Visited Dursey in 2008 to take the cable car accross to the island, only to find it was out of action. Returned in 2009, same result, hoping for better luck in 2010.

At the last visit, the new cable car was sitting in the corner of the car park waiting to be installed. There were a group of council workers replacing the main cables, which it seems were found to be fraying, when they came to install the new car. One of the fellows suggested there might have been some doubt as to whether the council would have gone to the expense of replacing these cables had they not already got a new car. I have some great photos of the new cables being installed, very lucky, as they had only arrived the previous day.

For those interested the following information about the car is displayed on the cable barn:

The cable-car was built in 1969. It carries 6 persons and takes
15 minutes for return trip.

Islanders, animals and cargo get first preferance.
When the cable-car is busy the operator will tell you what time you can return from the island.
The cars you see on the island were taken there by fishing boats.

There are approx. 6 people living on the island.
The last trip leaves 15 minutes before closing times.
Bookings cannot be taken for cable-car
No bicycles allowed

Return trip   Adults 4Euro   Children 1Euro

If you want details of times PM me.

What happened to the old car? It's in a field along the road surrounded by a menagerie of ducks, geese, chickens peacocks etc.

Cable-car

Subject: RE: Baltimore, Cork - touring & music
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 05:30 AM

refresh