Author: Skibbereen & District Chamber of Commerce

Skibbereen is to feature on TG4 on Sunday night coming with a broadcast of the Famine documentary ‘The Great Irish Famine: Remember Skibbereen’ at 7.15pm. The film, made by award-winning local film-maker Pat Collins of Harvest Films, was commissioned by Skibbereen Heritage Centre and supported by the West Cork Development Partnership in honour of the 2009 National Famine Commemoration.

The documentary features interviews with local historians Gerald O’Brien and Philip O’Regan as well as Professor Joe Lee, Dr Larry Geary, Dr Marita Foster, Professor Mark McGowan and Gary White Deer.

The documentary examines how the Famine affected Skibbereen and the human aspect of this tragic period of Irish history. Launched in July 2009 on DVD, the documentary has sold all over the world and is now streamed by many overseas universities as part of their Irish Studies programmes.

Last broadcast on TG4 in 2010, it received very favourable reviews and there are now two further opportunities to see it on TG4; on Sunday night coming at 7.15 and it is repeated again the following Tuesday night, the 5th of February, at midnight.

For anyone who is interested in Irish history and the heritage of West Cork, this is must-see viewing.

We would like to produce a calendar of events to cover the full year of The Gathering, we need all festival/event organisers within Skibbereen & district to submit their festival/event name, dates & brief description for inclusion.  Contact details below.

The play will also be staged on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, January 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

It features a nice mixture of experienced actors and some newcomers to the stage, including the town’s mayor, Karen Coakley. The story centres around when a widower advertises for a wife and finds the respondents are not quite what he imagined!

The cast of nine includes Niamh Woods as ‘Daphne’, Terri Kearney as Miss Stanfield, Siún Hurley as ‘Harriet’, Isobelle Kelly as ‘Ingrid’, Stephen Curran as ‘Ronnie’, Karen Coakley as ‘Gladys’, Donagh Long as ‘Grandpa’, Gearóid McCarthy as ‘Andrew’ and Micheál Hurley as ‘Brian’.

In this production we visit the home of Andrew Coulter, a widower who lives with his elderly father and teenage son, Brian. His married daughter, Daphne, comes in each day to take care of the men and ensure they are coping. When Daphne becomes pregnant she fears for her male relatives ability to cope.

Andrew’s sister in law is convinced they will not be able to manage and makes a wager that he couldn’t get a new wife within a fortnight. Andrew advertises for a wife in the forlorn hope that he will win the bet and obtain a solution to his problems.

The mayhem is heightened when three women accept Andrew’s ‘proposal’ and only a ‘clever device’ can get the hapless Andrew off the hook.

Blending the customary potpourri of author Sam Cree characters, the play races along to the inevitable conclusion but not before the audience is treated to a hilarious evening of comedy and mayhem.

Why not go along and enjoy a great night of entertainment.

Tickets will be available to book through Thornhill Bros Electrical, Skibbereen, telephone 028-22557, or at the venue on show night.

Visit Santa in the magical Winter Wonderland, just a few minutes walk away see the Abbeystrewry Live Crib, enjoy a wonderful meal in one of our many great cafe’s & restaurants. 

Bring your shopping list, we have everything you need for this Christmas season throughout our numerous retailers.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere with the beautiful town lights, window displays and Lights on Living Trees, a must see! 

All within short walking distance and free parking.

We look forward to seeing you in Skibbereen this year!

If you require further information contact: chamber@unruffled-proskuriakova.79-170-242-10.plesk.page or Tel: 086 2388300

(Photo: Martin O’Mahony, Skibb Chamber, Carrie Holland, Winner, with her Daughter Melissa & Frosty!)

Our 15 hamper winners are:

Rosarie Glanton, Union Hall – Ann Marie McSweeney, Skibb- Maureen Keane, Church Cross – Kathleen Murphy, Skibb – Tony Fitzgibbon, Goleen- Bernie O’Donovan, Skibb – Anne Maguire, Rosscarbery – Beatrice Héarún, Ballydehob – Betty McCarthy – Margo Daly, Bantry – Margaret McInerney, Skibb – Maria Kennedy, Skibb – Fiona Harrington, Skibb – Helen O’Donovan, Skibb – Jackie Lynch, Skibb.

Congratulations to everyone & Happy Christmas !!

WIN €5,000 in shopping vouchers AND be in with a chance to win a €200 hamper everyday!

You have another 5 days left to enter & be in with a chance to win a hamper & €5000 in shopping vouchers. The Monster Draw will take place Sun, 16th Dec, 3.30pm at the town square. 

It all starts Sat, 1st Dec with the launch of Christmas in Skibbereen, switching on of the towns Christmas lights including the ‘Lights in Living Trees’, traditional Christmas parade with Live Crib & the opening of Winter Wonderland, Santa is coming to town!

Carol singing, Silver Band & live music in the Town Square, starting at 4pm – enjoy the Festive atmosphere while you shop!

Shop local this Christmas & support Skibbereen jobs & businesses. Free parking.

Here she is being presented with her prizes by last year’s winner Brendan O’Brien & John Collins, compere on the night.

Award winners also included Karizma Hairdressers for Friendliest Small Business and Blackwater Motors for Friendliest Large Business. Steve Redmond accepted a special award on the night as Skibbereen’s most Famous Employee while his boss and owner of Skibbereen Tool Hire, Vincent Hurley was awarded Skibbereen’s most Accommodating Employer for allowing Steve so much time off to complete the Ocean’s Seven Challenge over the past three years!

Thank you to everyone who supported the awards, the night was a great success, over 130 attended. A big thank you to all the nominees, their families, supporters & everyone who came along to enjoy the night, you all made it such a great evening. Thank you to John Collins, for making the room laugh all evening, Brian Hennessy’s band who had everyone up dancing and special guest Steve Redmond.