Baltimore Pirate Festival Returns - The Algiers Marks the Occasion with Cocktails, Cruises, & Costumes

This June, the Baltimore Pirate Festival returns to West Cork after a short hiatus - and The Algiers gastropub, the only pub in West Cork offering craft cocktails, is ready to make waves with a weekend of bold drinks, disco dancing, and pirate mischief from Friday, 20 to Sunday, 22 June.  

The festival commemorates Baltimore’s storied maritime past, from its centuries-old role as a pirate stronghold under the O’Driscoll clan to the dramatic events of 20th June 1631 (Sack of Baltimore), when Algerian pirates raided the village and captured over 100 residents, taking them to North Africa. While the Sack of Baltimore remains a defining moment in local lore, the festival honours a broader and more colourful history - one where piracy was, for centuries, central to the town’s economy and identity.

In a playful nod to this legacy, The Algiers - named after the pirates’ North African base - is marking the occasion with a lively programme of events and a special festival cocktail collaboration with Poachers Ginger Beer and Blacks of Kinsale Rum.

Highlights at The Algiers include:·        

• Festival-Exclusive Dark & Stormy Cocktail (all weekend)
  Created in collaboration with Poachers Ginger Beer and Blacks of Kinsale Rum, this limited-edition cocktail channels the spirit of the high seas. Available throughout the weekend, it’s a brooding, bold serve that pays tribute to Baltimore’s stormy (and storied) past.
  

• Rock the Boat: Pirate Festival Sunset Disco Cruise
  Saturday 21 June | 7.30 PM – 9.30 PM
  Set sail with Cape Clear Ferries and The Algiers aboard the Carraig Aonair for a two-hour cruise through the stunning Roaringwater Bay. Expect disco beats, golden hour views, a fully stocked onboard bar, and plenty of pirate energy on deck.
  Tickets: €25 | Strictly 21+ Early Booking advised via capeclearferries.com
  

• The World-Famous Algiers Disco - Pirate Fancy Dress Party
  Saturday 21 June | 9.30 PM until late | Free Entry
  Back on dry land, The Algiers will host its legendary late-night disco with a pirate twist. DJ, themed cocktails, dancing ‘til late, and spot prizes for the best-dressed pirates. Fancy dress highly encouraged!

Throughout the weekend, the village will host live music in the village square, historical walking tours tracing pirate paths, food stalls, family-friendly activities, including a fancy dress competition for kids and adults. For festival updates, follow @baltimorepiratefestival on Instagram.

For more information about The Algiers, visit thealgiersinn.ie or follow @thealgiersbaltimore on Instagram

Key Events at The Algiers:
• Festival-exclusive cocktails (all weekend)
• Rock the Boat Sunset Disco Cruise – Saturday 21 June 7.30 PM - 9.30 PM. Tickets €25 via capeclearferries.com
• The World-Famous Algiers Disco – Pirate Fancy Dress Edition – Saturday 21 June, 9.30 PM (Free Entry)

About The Algiers

In 2019, husband and wife Bill and Ann Hillyard, originally from California, moved to Baltimore, West Cork, after purchasing The Algiers. They officially opened its doors in February 2020—just weeks before Ireland’s first lockdown. Despite the challenges of the past five years, they transformed the space, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere inspired by North Africa. With rich textures, ambient lighting, and subtle nods to Baltimore’s pirate past, The Algiers has become a go-to destination for food, craft cocktails, and warm hospitality.

Today, The Algiers is known for its inventive craft cocktails (the only pub in West Cork offering them) and its globally inspired menu. Ann Hillyard trained at the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School and now serves up a wholesome, produce-led menu combining fresh West Cork ingredients with flavours from California, Mexico, and Asia - house favourites include tacos, chicken taquitos, seasonal fish dishes, and signature craft cocktails.

The Algiers stands in the shadow of the Dún Na Séad Castle, once the seat of power of the infamous O’Driscoll clan. For centuries, and up until the establishment of the pub, Baltimore was a haven for smugglers and pirates. Rumours persist that it operated as an illicit síbín under the guise of a bakery and shop. In 1892, Beamish and Crawford Brewery formally established a pub on the site to coincide with the arrival of the Cork, Bandon, and South Coast Railway. This marked the end of Baltimore’s long illicit trade and piracy history. The pub’s name recalls the infamous 1631 Sack of Baltimore, when Barbary pirates raided the town, abducting over 100 people and selling them into slavery.