Skibbereen Heritage Centre

The compelling story of the Great Famine (1845-1852) is the primary exhibition at Skibbereen Heritage Centre. This complex period, when misguided policies severely worsened the effects of a natural disaster caused by the failure of the potato crop, is explored through the testimonies of local people. This poignant exhibition explores how the poor lived and died through one of the most tragic and traumatic events in Irish history. Situated in the beautifully restored Old Gasworks building, Skibbereen Heritage Centre also features an exhibition on Lough Hyne. It explains how this local salt-water lake became designated as Europe's first Marine Nature Reserve and gives an overview of the history and archaeology of this unique environment.