In 1537, four ships from Lisbon, laden with wine, consigned to the Waterford merchants, were, by stress of weather, driven to take shelter at Baltimore. One of these, the Santa Maria de Soci, was boarded by Conoghure O’Driscoll, chieftain of Sherkin, and his sons, and piloted safely into Baltimore Harbour. The officers and men of the ship were invited to an entertainment to Baltimore Castle by the O’Driscolls, and while there enjoying themselves were manacled. The O’Driscolls and their men went in their boats to the ship, took possession of the wine, and freely distributed it among their followers.
The Waterford people, hearing of the seizure, sent an armed expedition under the command of Captain Dobbyn. On arriving at Baltimore, he liberated the crew, and immediately sailed back to Waterford. Of the 100 tuns of wine, 25 only remained unconsumed. Some short time after, an expedition of 400 men, well equipped, set sail from Waterford in two large vessels under command of Bailiff Woodlock and Captain Dobbyn. Arriving in Baltimore Harbour they anchored near the Franciscan Abbey on Sherkin Island. Very soon they commenced operations, attacked and battered the castle of Dunilong, which they entered, and took away large quantities of malt, barley, and salt; they burned forty of the chief pinnaces, and forty more, with the big galley of thirty oars, were conveyed to Waterford as trophies of war. The Franciscan Abbey, with the mill annexed, was greatly damaged, and the inhabitants and houses of the island were visited with fire and sword, and little mercy shown. The islands near were treated in a similar manner, and, to complete the work, the attacking party passed over to Baltimore, stormed the Castle of Dunashad, and burnt and sacked the town.

1537 The O’Driscolls of Baltimore, West Cork and the Sancta Maria de Soci from Lisbon