Baltimore Pirate Festival

18/06/2026

Volunteers needed for this weekend's Baltimore Pirate Festival.

If you would like to get involved or have a spare hour or two, please call Stuart.

15/06/2026

Farewell and Fair Winds to the Nao Santa María

This morning, the magnificent Nao Santa María slipped her lines and departed Baltimore Harbour, bound for Eastbourne as she continues her voyage around Britain and Ireland.

What an incredible few days it has been. With over 2,500 paid visitors coming aboard to experience this remarkable vessel, combined with glorious sunshine throughout her stay, Baltimore truly showcased itself at its very best.

The arrival and visit of the Nao Santa María created a unique atmosphere around the harbour, bringing together locals, visitors, volunteers, businesses, community groups and maritime organisations in a celebration of our rich seafaring heritage. From her emotional arrival beneath the Beacon to the thousands who stepped aboard during her stay, she captured the imagination of all who visited.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this visit such a success — the volunteers, harbour staff, local businesses, Cork County Council, Baltimore RNLI, Baltimore Sailing Club, the Baltimore Pirate Festival Committee, Baltimore Community Council, and all those who worked behind the scenes to make the visit possible.

Most importantly, thank you to the captain, crew and management team of the Nao Santa María for choosing Baltimore and for the warm friendship shown throughout their stay.

As she sails onward to Eastbourne, we wish her captain and crew fair winds and safe seas.

Until next time.

14/06/2026

13/06/2026

A large crowd gathered at Baltimore Pier to view the Nao Santa Maria once it docked.

12/06/2026

Timothy O’Donovan captured this photo of the Nao Santa María arriving to Baltimore Harbour on Tuesday evening taken from Peter Losberg’s RIB.

The vessel was greeted by Baltimore RNLI ILB and Harbour Master Diarmuid Minihane, along with a number of local boats.

The 28m vessel will be docked in Baltimore until June 14th with guests (booking necessary) able to board her and explore multiple decks. The ship is a full-scale replica of the Christoper Columbus.

You can find more pictures like this inside The Southern Star.

10/06/2026

OFFICIAL WELCOME FOR THE NAO SANTA MARÍA

This morning, Baltimore had the honour of officially welcoming the magnificent Nao Santa María to our village with a special reception and gift exchange aboard the historic vessel.

Representatives from local organisations, community groups, Cork County Council, Baltimore RNLI, Baltimore Sailing Club, and the Baltimore Pirate Festival Committee gathered alongside the ship's captain and crew to mark this memorable visit.

A warm Baltimore welcome was extended to:

• Desiree Gonzalez – Project Manager, Nao Santa María
• Pablo Fernandez – Captain, Nao Santa María

Joining the ceremony were:

• Noreen O'Mahony, Senior Executive Officer
• Aoife Power, Administrative Officer
• Cllr. Caroline Cronin, Chair, West Cork Municipal District
• Guitec Danno, Managing Director, West Cork Irish Whiskey
• Dr Noel Lawn, Baltimore Pirate Festival Committee
• Kieran Cotter, Baltimore RNLI
• Tom Bushe, Baltimore RNLI
• Ruth Field, Commodore, Baltimore Sailing Club
• Sarah Sinnott, Executive Engineer, Cork County Council
• Stuart Musgrave, Chair, Baltimore Community Council
• Bill & Ann Hillyard, The Algiers Bar & Baltimore Pirate Festival Committee

The exchange of gifts symbolised the friendship and cultural connection between Baltimore and the crew of the Nao Santa María, whose visit has already captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike.

We thank Captain Pablo Fernandez, Desiree Gonzalez and the entire crew for bringing this remarkable ship to Baltimore and for the wonderful welcome they have received from our community.

The Nao Santa María is open to visitors on Baltimore's North Pier until Sunday, offering a unique opportunity to step aboard a faithful replica of one of history's most famous sailing ships.

10/06/2026

World Champion Bagpiper Dermot Milner welcomes the crew of the Nao Santa Maria to Baltimore Harbour, for the build up to the Baltimore Pirate Festival 19-21 June

10/06/2026

NAO SANTA MARÍA ARRIVES IN BALTIMORE HARBOUR

After a challenging passage from Cork, battling a fresh westerly breeze and strong tides, the magnificent Nao Santa María arrived safely into Baltimore Harbour shortly after 10pm last night.

As she rounded the harbour entrance and passed beneath the Beacon, a truly unforgettable and emotional moment unfolded. The haunting sound of a world champion bagpiper, Dermot Milner, echoed across the water as he played her into the harbour, while the crew aboard the Nao Santa María responded by ringing the ship's bell. For a few moments, it felt as though time had stood still, transporting everyone present back several centuries to the great age of sail.

Crowds gathered along the headlands and shoreline to witness her arrival, while a flotilla of local boats escorted her into the harbour. As she tied up alongside the North Pier, Baltimore once again demonstrated what makes this village so special, turning out in great numbers to offer a warm West Cork welcome to our visitors.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to greet the ship and create such a memorable occasion.

Special thanks to the volunteer crew of the Baltimore RNLI, Harbour Master Diarmuid Minihane and Sarah Sinnott for their efforts in coordinating the arrival and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

The Nao Santa María will be open to visitors over the coming days, offering a rare opportunity to step aboard one of the world's most impressive replica sailing ships.

📸 If you captured photos or videos of the arrival, we'd love to see them in the comments below.