Skibbereen is the crown jewel of West Cork, a bustling town brimming with life and vibrancy in the heart of the amazing natural terrain that West Cork is famous for. Lying in situ, bordered by the rolling green fields of the countryside and ensconced in natural wonder with great hillside walkways, valleys and the River Ilen that runs through the town, the road to Skibbereen is paved with wonder and joy as the mesmerizing great outdoors truly dazzle you.
Skibbereen is a classic Irish rural town, with all of the charm and splendour that Irish country towns are famed for. The bright coloured buildings that are found throughout the town add to the sense of merriment that abounds in Skibbereen, and the famously friendly nature of the locals only adds further to this.
The streets of Skibbereen are a fun environment to wander through, with the great local restaurants and merchants offering the best local Cork produce to all comers. The best place to find this is, of course, the famous Skibbereen Farmers Market, which is held every Saturday morning. Traders come from all parts of Cork, bringing their very finest meat, fruit and veg, herbs, plants and cakes to anyone fortunate enough to be passing by.
With so much outstanding natural terrain lying all around the town of Skibbereen, it is no surprise that some of the best places to visit in Ireland are found in and around Skibb. For lovers of the great outdoors, it is a perfect place to set up for a holiday of exploration. Lough Hyne is surely the local highlight, the pristine inland salt-water lake that is the only one of its kind in Europe. Lough Hyne is a simply marvellous picturesque area, with the great lake holding two small islands captive in the water’s midst, while it is also surrounded by woodland on all sides. Lough Hyne is also hugely important from a conservation standpoint, as it is home to thousands of different plant and animal species. Its importance was reflected by its designation as Ireland’s first marine nature reserve in 1981. Skibbereen is also in driving distance of so many other great Cork sights, such as Mizen Head, Garnish Island and Gougane Barra amongst others, ensuring that there is a vast array of places to visit on a trip to West Cork.
There is much to do in the town itself too, with the excellent Skibbereen Heitage Centre a must on any visit. With a great depth of information on Ireland’s history, including The Great Famine and its effects on the West Cork region, the heritage centre offers some great insights into Ireland’s past. With an extensive genealogy section, you can also trace your Irish ancestry back to these shores.
Skibbereen is a picture perfect town in a natural wonderland. Within striking distance of other great West Cork towns and villages such as Bantry, Baltimore and Schull, it is an ideal hub for anyone looking to see the best out west. For summer holidays, city breaks or even weekend getaways, its hard to beat Skibb.
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