A-Z Placefinder
Towns of Cork
Skibbereen —County Cork
Skibbereen with a population of approximately 2,000 people is the capital of the Carberies and is a most progressive town. The town developed on the banks of the River Ilen just where the river turns to flow in a westerly direction towards the sea.
This town was one of many in Ireland which suffered very badly during the period of the Irish Famine in the 1840's. The Famine plot survives today in the Abbey Cemetery west of the town. The Famine in Skibbereen is examined in an exhibition at Skibbereen Heritage Centre.
It was here that in 1889 West Cork's own newspaper 'The Southern Star' formerly known as 'The Skibbereen Eagle' was established. At the turn of the century this newspaper was to warn that 'The Skibbereen Eagle' has its eye on the Czar of Russia! O'Donovan Rossa who was prominent in the Irish independence movement lived here.
Activities available in Skibbereen include golf and water sports.
