Baltimore and islands of Cape Clear, Sherkin and Heir have been the seat of the O'Driscoll clan for 1,000 years or more and there are plenty of O'Driscolls living in the area today to prove it. The annual four-day gathering gives O'Driscolls from other parts of the world the chance to rediscover their roots, but you definitely don't have to be an O'Driscoll to join in the festivities. There is a wide variety of happenings over the weekend, including cultural and educational events, entertainment (traditional and otherwise), and lots of socialising. Proceedings culminate in the inauguration of a new O'Driscoll clan chieftain.

2012 PROGRAMME

Thursday 21st  June

9.00 PM "Greeting of the Clan" at The Algiers Inn" with Traditional Session
Launch of book "Pirates of Baltimore" from local author Bernie McCarthy.

Friday 22nd June

11.00AM to 6.00PM Pirate Exhibition in Dun Na Sead Castle (Daily)

2.00 PM Trip to Heir Island (€10) on Mystic Water with Captain Vincent O' Driscoll. Walk on Island and talk by local Genealogist Karen Linden at John and Patricia Moore's - Heir Island Sailing School.

7.30 PM Registration of Clan members and heritage talk in Dun Na Sead castle by local historian Terri Kearney

9.00 PM Official opening of Clan Gathering on the Square.

9.00 PM Open air Music with 'Ronnie and Friends'

Saturday 23rd June

10.30 AM Trip to Cape Clear (€16). On arrival the Clan will be met by Mary O' Driscoll who will give you a talk on the history of the island.
The Clan, accompanied by Eamon Lankford will visit the Cape Clear Museum
After this lunch (€10) will take place in "Ciaran Danny Mikes" followed by music for the afternoon.
Ferry departs at 4.00pm.

4.00 P.M. Traditional Music in The Square by 'Baltimore Beginners'.

7.00P.M O' Driscoll Challenge - GAA football match at Ilen Rovers pitch in Rath

9.30 P.M. Music on the square with Rubicon

Sunday 24th June

10.15 AM Mass celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, Rath by Father Martin O' Driscoll.

12.00 PM Ferry (€5) to Sherkin Island. Visit to the Abbey followed by a gathering at "The Jolly Roger.
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1.00 PM. Traditional Music and Dancing on the Square by "Ceoltais Ceoltóirí Éireann "

1.00 PM. South West Yawl Rowing Championship regatta.

3.00 to 5.00 PM Music in the Square with 'Open the Taps'
Kids entertainment - Face Painting, Balloon making, Mime act etc.

3.30 PM Address by the Clan Chieftain Margaret O' Driscoll.

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