Baltimore () is a harbour town in western County Cork, Province of Munster, Ireland. Although the name Baltimore is an anglicisation of Irish words () 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).
Baltimore was sacked in 1631 by Algerianpirates, 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.
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.
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