In the 19th century the town was one of the hardest hit by the potato famine. The mass graves from that era can still be seen at the local cemetery. Local shops sell The Skibbereen Trail which guides you around nearby sites with links to the Famine. Locals sing a song that recount those times, its called Dear Old Skibbereen. Beware, it's a tear jerker.

The Southern Star is a weekly newspaper that is printed in Skibbereen. Originally called the Skibbereen Eagle, it was famous in the last century as the paper which "kept its eye on the Russian Czar". It was censored during the War of Independence for its strong republican views.

Today, Skibbereen's fortunes have taken a turn for the better and it is now considered the luckiest town in Ireland for winning the Lotto. In summer time its a bustling place and it is one of the main towns on the West Cork tourist trail.

On Wednesday there is a cattle mart and here is chance to see agricultural Ireland almost unchanged from the way it was in bygone days. On a Friday there is a Country Market, on Saturday a Farmers' Market and here you can purchase home baked items such as jam, biscuits, soda breads, pies and organic produce grown on local farms.

There are a number of restaurants serving wholesome country food and a wide variety of places in which to stay and eat.