This thriving town is the 'capital' of West Cork,
centre for all the agricultural, industrial and tourist activities of a wide region. Its
streets are full of life and character. Its newspaper is 'The Southern Star', successor to
'The Skibbereen Eagle' which acquired fame at the turn of the century with a thundering
editorial which finished with the dire warning. 'The Skibbereen Eagle has its eye on the
Czar of Russia'.
The West Cork Art Centre is the focus of many activities of the artists, craftspeople and
writers who have come to live in this area. St. Fachtna's High School Museum has a
collection of mostly local folk material. Skibbereen suffered particularly severe hardship
during the Famine years, a fact commemorated in many songs. Near Skibbereen the Liss Ard
Experience is highly interesting.
Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa, a prominent personality in the Independence Movement in the 19th
century, lived most of his life (when he wasn't in jail) in Skibbereen, and is
commemorated in a small attractive park on the outskirts of the town.
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