Maritime Safety Training

Traenáil Sábháilteachta Mara

The following courses have been arranged to take place during the Easter School Holidays to facilitate both students and adults who require them.

First Aid for Seafarers – One day course in Baltimore, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm on Thursday 1 April – Tutor Cormac Mc Ginley, BIM, Cost €75

Sea Survival Course – One day course in Dunmanway, 10.30 am to 6.30 pm on Thursday 8 April 8 (late sailing to Cape Clear to be arranged), Tutor Cormac mc Ginley, BIM, Cost €75

Bookings and enquiries to Séamus@setantaabu@hotmail.com or 028-39159/41923

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Notice from Oileán Chléire...

A Special Island Tribute to

Tom Mc Sweeney

A buffet will be held in Club Cléire, Cape Clear Island on Friday 5th March, St Ciaran’s Day starting at 8.00pm to honour RTE Marine Correspondent Tom Mc Sweeney on his retirement. Fellow Islanders and members of West Corks seafaring communities are also invited to attend. The buffet will cost €5 per person and overnight accommodation is available at a special rate of €30 p.p at 028-39119 ( Co Op Office)

Ferries ( Dún Aengus) from Baltimore at 5 & 7 pm need to be pre-booked at 028-39159 or 086-3465110 www.cailinoir.com

Weather permitting

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Coffee Morning...

Baltimore Yacht Charters hosted a coffee morning on November 28 in aid of ILFA - The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association. An astounding total of € 2337.42 was raised on board the yachts "Inishbeg", "Inishceim", and "Inishleigh" which were moored at Baltimore pier. Baltimore Yacht Charters wish to thank everybody who attended, subscribed, helped or contributed in any way to make the morning such a tremendous success. Also we were extremely lucky with the weather - cold but dry.

BALTIMORE SET DANCERS are holding a fund raising ceili and old time dance in The Father Cashman Community Hall, Baltimore on Tuesday night 9 March at 9.30. Music is by Finbar Dennehy. All proceeds raised go towards SKIBBEREEN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (Pallative Care). All support will be greatly appreciated.

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I'm supporting the Cork to Swansea route with Fastnet Line because.......

Rianne Smith is Chairperson of Explore Baltimore (a marketing co-operative of 100 business people in the Baltimore, Co. Cork region) and runs Aquaventures Diving & Snorkelling Tours from The Stone House B&B in the village. Rianne and her husband Jerry are also shareholders with others in the West Cork Co-Operative which owns the Fastnet Line.

'There are several shareholders in this region and we are very proud to welcome back the visitors to the area, where they can enjoy good food, a great variety of activities and a sincere welcome. It is so important to show support and enthusiasm for this much needed return of a direct link between Cork and the UK, and I know of several people from this area who have happily invested in the future of this service, seeing it as an investment in the future for themselves and future generations' she said.

'Here in Baltimore we run several festivals throughout the year, so this year-round service will surely make a positive impact. Our Fiddle Fair with traditional musicians from all over the world, The O'Driscoll Clan Gathering, The Heritage Festival, as well as the Wooden Boat and Seafood Festivals and festivals in the adjoining islands, are quite unique and, I'm sure, will attract great interest from our UK neighbours.' Rianne went on to stress that this has to be a two-way street and that the people of the region might consider utilising the service for freight or pleasure purposes into the UK also.

Now open for bookings on www.fastnetline.com, this year-round service, which will carry passengers, cars, commercial freight, campers/caravans, bikes (and pets!) will run 6 nights a week, with additional sailings in high-season, i.e. July and August. Sailing will be overnight departing at 21.00 hours and arriving 07.00 a.m. next day. With a capacity of 1860 passengers, 440 cars, 40 trucks/trailers, and 300 cabins (including 14 deluxe cabins), the MV Julia is well suited to the route and to the enjoyment of a mini-cruise en route to Swansea. With a number of bars and restaurants, an on-board cinema and retail space, a new children’s' area, casino, kennels and extensive deck areas to enhance the experience, there is no doubt but that this route adds an exciting new option for consumers and businesses alike.

All aboard for a bright future!

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Press Release -Ráiteas Nuchta

The Cailín Óir service has contracted to provide a temporary ferry service to Cape Clear Island for 9 months starting on 1 March 2010.
The company has charted a second vessel, the Dun Aongus for this period to supplement the Cailín Óir. The Dun Aongus , built in 1983 was recently refurbished and has a class 2A license. She is approximately 50 feet long and has a 15 ft beam and can carry 30 passengers in the winter and 64 in the summer. The main consideration in sourcing the vessel was that she has a load line to carry up to 7 tons of cargo which will largely fulfil the cargo carrying requirements of the Island. The vessel does not have a crane and arrangements will be put in place to load and unload the vessel using land based equipment.
Some changes and flexibility will be required to provide an adequate ferry service to the Island during this time. In the shoulder season additional sailings are proposed and at certain peak times the two boats will operate together to provide an hourly service from Baltimore. These changes will provide additional choice for the Island community and enhance the tourism industry on the Island. A public meeting will be held before the end of February to agree these changes with the Island Community.
During the weeks ahead the company has many challenges to overcome but is confident that the new service can be mobilised in the time available with the consideration and support of all concerned.

Séamus Ó Drisceoil,
Secretary, Cailín Óir Ferry Service
Runaí, Seirbhis Farantóireachta an Chailin Óir