Lough Hyne Exhibition
A 15-minute audio-visual presentation in English, French and German covers the salt-water lake's history, folklore and long record of marine research. Lough Hyne was designated Ireland's first Marine Nature Reserve in 1981.
Skibbereen Heritage Centre (Ionad Oidhreachta an Sciobairín)
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About
A small West Cork museum in the old gasworks where Ireland's Great Famine is told through the people of Skibbereen, with a second exhibition on Lough Hyne, Ireland's first marine nature reserve.
Things to Do
Genealogy consultation
In-house genealogist Margaret uses census, land, church and newspaper records from a database of over 600,000 local records. One-hour consultations cost €75 and must be pre-booked.
Famine sites around the town
The 'Skibbereen: Famine Stories' map marks buildings and streets with direct links to the Great Hunger and can be used with a companion app. It costs 50c for visitors, €1 for non-visitors.
Knockomagh Hill walk
The nature trail up 197m Knockomagh Hill above Lough Hyne takes about an hour and gives one of West Cork's finest views. A trail leaflet is available to download.
Great Irish Famine Exhibition
Skibbereen lost over a third of its people during the Famine and the town became a byword for the disaster. Personal accounts, dramatisations, interactive stations and subtitled audio-visuals (French, German and Irish) tell the story.
Guided group tours
Groups get a guided tour of the Famine Exhibition by a tour guide/historian, built around the group's interests, with special rates for parties over ten. Groups must be pre-booked by phone.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: March 4–April 30 and October: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–18:00. May–September: daily except Sunday 10:00–18:00, last admission 17:15. November–March 4: Monday and Friday 10:00–17:00, other weekdays by appointment when possible.
- Admission: Adults €6, senior/student €4.50, family €14
- Parking: Free car park beside the centre: take the first right turn off Upper Bridge Street into the Skibbereen Heritage Centre car park. Coaches park outside the stone wall surrounding the car park, 30m from the front door.
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