Skibbereen Attractions

At the south end of the R595, 7mi/11km southwest of Skibbereen, we come to the pleasant holiday resort of Baltimore, a well-known fishing center which also has a sailing school.

From Skibbereen the R596 leads southeast to Castletownshend, a favorite haunt of artists. In the middle of the steep and picturesque village street is a clump of trees. On its southwestern outskirts stands Drishane House, home of Edith Somerville (1858-1949), co-author with Violet Martin, whose pseudonym was Martin Ross, of novels and short stories vividly depicting life in the Anglo-Irish houses of their time.

The R545 leads southwest from Skibbereen and in about 3mi/5km reaches Creagh Gardens, romantically situated by the sea.

From Schull there is an attractive run to Crookhaven, which has a safe harbor. A narrow road runs out to Mizen Head, from the highest point of which (765ft/230 m) there is a magnificent view of the Atlantic coast.

0.5mi/1km northwest of the village of Castletownshend rises the massive Knockdrum Fort (National Monument), a ring-fort 95ft/29m in diameter with 10ft/3m thick stone walls, a narrow entrance protected by a guard chamber and underground rooms.

On the way to Skibbereen from Baltimore a side road can be taken which bears east past Lough Ine, a clear sea lough where the rich fauna is kept under observation by a Cork University marine biological station. A waymarked path leads to the Hill Top (a good 20 minutes from the picnic place) from where there are excellent views of the lough and the sea with the outlying islands.

10mi/16km west of Skibbereen, at Ballydehob, the R592 turns southwest and comes to Schull where a Planetarium can be visited. In the area are a number of old copper mines. From Mount Gabriel (1,312ft/400m) there are good panoramic views.

At the south end of the R595, 7mi/11km southwest of Skibbereen, we come to the resort of Baltimore, offshore from which, like a breakwater protecting the town's sheltered harbor, lies Sherkin Island, with the ruins of a castle and a monastery; there is a ferry service from Baltimore.