Skibbereen

Skibbereen is a village in the southwest of County Cork, Ireland. An Sciobairín means "the little boat harbour" - it would have to be a small boat to get this far up the River Ilen. Skibbereen was one of the worst affected places during the Famine of 1845-52, and it's reckoned that up to 10,000 victims are buried in the mass grave here, with a similar number fleeing to an unknown fate. The village is nowadays a small resort, with a population of 2900 in 2022.

The Tourist Office is in village centre, open W-F 10AM-2PM.

Get in
Skibbereen is on N71, about 85 km west of Cork. Bus Eireann 237 runs daily every two hours from Cork main bus station via Inishannon, Bandon, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and Leap, taking 1 hour 45 min to Skibbereen. Here the service branches, with four buses running to Baltimore (10 min), and three to Ballydehob and Schull (30 min).

Bus Éireann Route 270 launched in 2023 with five daily services from Skibbereen north to Killarney via Bantry, Kenmare and Killorglin, operating year round.

A local bus plies M-F to Bantry, setting off at 8AM and taking an hour via Ballydehob and Durrus, and setting off back around 4PM.

The village is on Bridge St. Buses also stop on North St by the cathedral and council offices.

Get around
You need a car, as many places of interest are several km out. The local taxi firm has gone out of business.

is the ferry pier for Heir Island. It sails daily year-round every 2 hours, adult return €6, child €3, foot passengers only. See Baltimore for ferries to Sherkin Island and Cape Clear; this also has a summer service to Heir Island and trips to Fastnet. See Schull for ferries to Long Island.

See

 * The Maid of Erin is the statue in village centre expressing heartfelt thanks that rebellions against the British were defeated, in 1798, 1803, 1848 and 1867. Surely it was only for lack of room for further dates that they didn't add 1916 for the Easter Rising.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.
 * : see separate page for this harbour village.

Do

 * Atlantic Sea Kayaking have two locations: Reen Pier near Union Hall, and Loch Hyne, where one specialty is a night kayak trip.
 * Golf: the golf course is 2 km southwest on R595 towards Baltimore.
 * The Wild Atlantic Way is the coastal driving route from Cork away up to Donegal. It starts at Old Kinsale Head and heads west via Clonakilty, Rosscarbery, Glandore and Leap to Skibbereen. If time allows, turn aside to Baltimore and the islands of Roaringwater Bay. Then continue west through Ballydehob and Schull to Mizen Head; then north to Bantry and into County Kerry. Only another 2000 km to go.
 * Carbery Show is an agricultural show held in Skibbereen in July.
 * Skibbereen Arts Festival is in September.

Buy

 * Aldi in village centre is open M-Sa 9AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM.
 * The three banks have ATMs.
 * Farmers' Market is held on the car park outside Aldi Sa 9:30AM-2PM.

Eat

 * Church Restaurant in village centre is a reliable choice, open W-Su noon-8PM.
 * Kalbo's Cafe at 26 North St does good light meals and snacks. It's open M-Sa 9AM-5PM.
 * Kennedy's in the West Cork Hotel serves daily 5:30-9PM, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Pubs in Skibbereen include Paragon Bar, Tanyard, Kearney's Well, Horse and Hound, Fairfield Bar and Corner Bar.
 * West Cork Distillers at 16 Castletownshend Rd was founded in 2003 and produces whiskey, gin and vodka. The shop is open M-F 8AM-5PM; tours by arrangement.

Sleep

 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.
 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.
 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.
 * B&Bs include Glencora, Annie May's, and Ilenroy House.

Connect
As of March 2023, Skibbereen has 4G from Eir and Three, and 5G from Vodafone. Coverage is patchy on the approach roads and in the countryside.

Go next

 * Baltimore just down the road south has marine activities and ferries to the islands.
 * East the countryside becomes gentler towards Clonakilty and Cork.
 * West is Schull and Mizen Head.
 * Bantry is a good base for all three of the southwest Cork peninsulas.