About Sherkin North Shore
Here’s a compilation of the most common inquiries made by our visitors. Please read through, and if there are any uncertainties, you can always get in touch.
How to get here (transport and parking):
One of the great things about Sherkin Island is that we have very few cars. So, we highly recommend you leaving your car in Baltimore or availing of public transportation combined with using our local taxi, walking, cycling on the island instead. The local taxi is regular and meets every ferry. During the busiest months, our narrow roads get blocked very easily. The town of Baltimore is the last stop on the mainland from where the ferry sets off. The ferry trip between Baltimore and Sherkin Island takes about 10 minutes, and you can check the schedules here. Bring cash as some services may be cash-only.
By car:
You can bring the car over to Sherkin, but again, we highly recommend that you leave the vehicle at home, in Skibbereen or in Baltimore. If you do want to bring the car, you’ll have to contact the ferry in advance using the contact details on their website. If you’re parking your car in Baltimore, anticipate parking lots filled to the brim! Parking in Baltimore is safe and free of charge. Arrive well in advance before the ferry leaves to find a suitable and considerate spot for your vehicle.
Public transport:
If you’re coming from Cork city, two bus companies Bus Éireann (Route 237) and West Cork Connect (Route 230) regularly offer trips between Skibbereen and Cork. You can book tickets online with West Cork Connect which is slightly cheaper. If you’re heading from Killarney, Bus Éireann (Route 270) can take you to Skibbereen.
There’s currently only one bus stop in Skibberen from which both companies operate. From Skibbereen, you can get a taxi (Baltimore & Skibbereen Taxi Service can be contacted via 087 1517 901) or the TFI local link bus (Route 266A) which will take you on the final leg to Baltimore and the ferry. From the bus stop at Baltimore, the ferry is but a stone’s throw away.
The ferry:
Passage from Baltimore to Sherkin Island is exclusively via the Sherkin Ferry. The trip takes about 10 minutes. The ferry operates weekdays and weekend, but in severe weather conditions, the ferry may be cancelled. During the summer season, the ferry operates on a near-hourly basis from morning to evening. You can check the schedules via their website.
When on the island:
There’s a regular taxi service on the island operated by locals. This is especially handy for visitors with plenty of bags or camping gear. Again, the taxi meets every ferry. Therefore, there’s no need to contact the taxi in advance of your arrival. And again, the island is very easy to get around by walking or cycling. The distance from the ferry to Sherkin North Shore is only 2.6 km with very mild hills and stunning views!
Things to know about Glamping:
Glamping is a combination of two words: Glamorous and camping. They’re a more luxurious form of camping and an ideal option for families and small groups who want to avoid the hassle of bringing their own sleeping gear and tents. We have two options for glamping: bell tents and cabins.
5-metre Canvas Cell Tents in the summer months: June, July and August. These are 5 metres long dome-shaped tent structure. You’ll be sleeping on mattresses on bed frames raised above the ground with clean bed linen, pillows, duvets, blankets and towels provided. Nearby there’s a building 50 metres away with a self-catering kitchen with two stoves, portable barbeques, fridges and freezers for storing any food you bring with you. There are also indoor and outdoor showers available with three toilets. No electricity provided for the bell tents, but you can charge your devices in the common areas.
Family Glamping Cabins: Two of these are available – named Luna and Mars. These are wooden structures with electricity and heaters. In Luna there are two double beds, two single bunks and a double sofa bed. Lastly in Mars, there are two double beds, one single and one double sofa bed.
Should you need anything while staying in either options, we’re always happy to provide additional bedding.
About food and beverages
Food:
We provide breakfast and evening meals for our visitors. Booking is required in advance, but breakfast is included if you’re staying in the En-suite Bedrooms.
Breakfast is 15 EUR per head. Evening meals are 30 EUR per head, and will include main course, side dish and salad, dessert and tea and coffee. Breakfast is between 9 and 10 am, while evening meals are served at 7 pm. We’re a family-run business on an island, so we hope you’ll respect that mealtimes are fixed and require booking in advance.
We cater for all dietary requirements, so let us know in advance how we can help with any allergies. For full transparency, there may be traces of allergens such as gluten, nuts and diary as we’re operating a small-scale kitchen. But again, feel free to ask in advance.
Beverages:
We do serve tea, coffee and orange juice on here North Shore, but other beverages must be acquired from the mainland. There are no shops on Sherkin Island, as such beverages and groceries will have to bought before stepping on the ferry to Sherkin. Skibbereen has multiple large shops from which you can get most essentials, and Baltimore has a small corner shop.