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Skibbereen (/ ˌskɪbəˈriːn /; Irish: An Sciobairín) [2] is a town in County Cork, Ireland. It is located in West Cork on the N71 national secondary road. The River Ilen runs through the town; it reaches the sea about 12 kilometres away, at the seaside village of Baltimore. Located in a tourist area, Tragumna beach is nearby. [3]
- Some Quick Need-To-Knows About Skibbereen
- A Brief History of Skibbereen in Cork
- Things to See and Do in Skibbereen
- Where to Stay in Skibbereen
- Skibbereen Restaurants
- Skibbereen Pubs
- FAQs About Visiting Skibbereen in West Cork
Although a visit to Skibbereen in West Cork is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
Before 1600, most of the land around Skibbereen belonged to the MacCarthy Reagh dynasty. However, the town saw an influx of people fleeing the Sack of Baltimore in 1631. As mentioned above, the Great Famine reduced the town’s population from 58, 335 in 1841 to 32, 412 by 1861 and was a particularly dark time in the town’s history. In the 19th centu...
There’s a handful of things to do in Skibbereen and hundredsof things to do a short spin away from the village. Both of the above combined make Skibbereen in Cork a great base for a road trip! Here are some of our favourite things to do in Skibbereen.
If you fancy staying in Skibbereen in Cork, you’re spoiled for choice for places to rest your head, with something to suit most budgets. Note: if you book a stay through one of the links below we may make a tiny commission that helps us keep this site going. You won’t pay extra, but we really do appreciate it.
Skibbereen has plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. The town is known for its good food and drinks, with many prioritising locally sourced produce. A long-time favourite is Church Restaurant, located inside an old Methodist Church in the heart of town. The interior still retains its stained-glass windows and high ceilings, and you can find high ...
If you’re looking more for a pub for a pint and bite to eat, then Skibbereen has plenty to choose from. The Corner Bar, Tanyard and Kearney’s Well are our regular go-to options. All located right in the middle of town, if you’re after a classic Irish pub experience these three are the best.
Since mentioning the town in a guide to West Cork that we published several years ago, we’ve had hundreds of emails asking various things about Skibbereen in West Cork. In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
Top Things to Do in Skibbereen, County Cork: See Tripadvisor's 7,129 traveller reviews and photos of 31 things to do when in Skibbereen.
- The top attractions to visit in Skibbereen are: Drombeg Stone Circle Lough Hyne Skibbereen Heritage Centre Abbeystrewry Graveyard Skibbereen Farmer...
- The best outdoor activities in Skibbereen according to Tripadvisor travellers are: Lough Hyne Heir Island Lassanroe Garden See all outdoor activiti...
- The most popular things to do in Skibbereen with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:Lough HyneDrombeg Stone CircleHeir IslandSee all...
- The name “Skibbereen” is thought to have derived from ‘skiff’, a type of boat used for crossing the river.
- Prior to 1600 most of the land belonged to the native McCarthy tribe who were the overlords but the O’Driscolls also reigned there – today McCarthy remains the town’s most common surname.
- At the height of the famine in 1848, the body of an unnamed boy, taken for lifeless was placed in a coffin in the Town Square and conveyed for burial to the Abbey Cemetery.
- Skibbereen was one of the worst-affected areas in Ireland during the Great Famine and up to 10,000 Famine victims are buried in the Famine Burial Pits of Abbeystrowry Cemetery.
Follow the Skibbereen Trail, a historical walking tour of old Skibbereen and visit sites which have direct links with the Great Famine. Include the West Cork Art Centre, a focus for many of the activities of local artists, craftspeople and writers who have come to live in this area.
Skibbereen Tourism: Tripadvisor has 7,129 reviews of Skibbereen Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Skibbereen resource.
Skibbereen is a charming town in County Cork, Ireland, known for its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant culture. Whether you’re interested in exploring the town’s fascinating past or immersing yourself in its lively present, Skibbereen has something for everyone.
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