IF you happen to be contemplating a global circumnavigation by yacht, there are not many better places to consider the fascinating journey than Foynes Island, Co Limerick.

The colourful tale of what is believed to be a 17th century ship, stolen by a notorious pirate, wrecked in a storm, and now lying beneath the seabed off West Cork, is a highlight of the 13th Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival.

WITH cannons blazing and a crew dressed in colourful period costume, a spectacular tall ship is expected in the harbour village of Baltimore today marking the start of the acclaimed Baltimore Seafood & Wooden Boat Festival.