Skibbereen

Why not check out our self catering holiday homes in Skibbereen

The thriving town of Skibbereen is the ideal base from which to discover the choice of beautiful fishing villages of West Cork – all within 10-15 minutes drive. Baltimore, Glandore, Union Hall and Castletownshend – all quaint and remarkably unspoilt. There is also Carberys Hundred Isles, some of the islands such as Sherkin and Cape Clear just minutes by boat from Baltimore. When the Irish Famine took its toll in the mid 1800s, the town of Skibbereen was one of the worst affected in all of Ireland, a fact testified by the mass graves at Abbeystrewry, where almost 10,000 are buried. This era is remembered in The Great Famine Exhibition at Skibbereen Heritage Centre. Follow the Skibbereen Trail, a historical walking tour of old Skibbereen and visit sites which have direct links with the Great Famine.

Other attractions in the area include the West Cork Art Centre, an 18-hole golf course, game and sea angling, coarse fishing, walking and cycling, scuba diving and sites of international archaelological interest. Visit the gardens of Lis-Ard, 200 acres of woodlands, meadows, lakes and waterfalls and home to the famous Sky Garden.

Lough Hyne Visitor Centre
Also nearby is Lough Hyne, Irelands first Marine Nature Reserve. Walk, kayak and enjoy this area of exceptional unspoilt beauty. Discover the history, folklore and formation of this renowned natural phenomenon at Skibbereen Heritage Centre. The Lough Hyne Visitor Centre reveals the unique nature of this marine lake, Irelands first Marine Nature Reserve. Find out about the history, folklore and formation of this renowned natural phenomenon. Follow with a visit to the lake, with walking trail, just 5km from Skibbereen town.

Skibbereen Heritage Centre
Enjoy a visit to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre, located in the award winning, beautifully restored Old Gasworks building.

The Great Famine Exhibition
Learn about this period of Irish history using the latest in multimedia technology. Skibbereen was one of the worst affected areas in Ireland, as testified by the mass graves at Abbeystrewery, where almost 10,000 are buried. Follow the Skibbereen Trail, an historical walking tour of Skibbereen and visit sites which have direct links with the Great Famine.

Other features include archaeology information, wildlife of the river Ilen, salt-water aquarium and gift shop.

Angling
The area is an anglers paradise with excellent shore, deep sea and game angling.

Food Drink & Craft
In nearby towns there is a huge selection of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. The local craft shops stock all local and national artists.

Beaches
There are many beautiful and secluded beaches nearby.

The Islands
Off the coast there are many small and sparsely populated islands which can be visited and explored. These offer an insight into ancient Ireland and gives visitors an idea of how life was lived before modern times.