Music, Local Entertainment, and Outdoor Adventure
The town has strong musical traditions with many different music events held each year. A few bars in town also host various musical acts throughout the week. Baby Hannah's is a popular place for locals to see bands from as far as Poland come play on occasion.
Skibbereen is home to the annual Cork X Southwest Music & Arts Festival. In 2011, Cork X SW was held at Liss Ard Estate and featured Patti Smith, Echo & the Bunnymen, Balkan Beat Box, Fred and Yuck among its two-day lineup. The festival had a camp ground where attendees were able to either pitch a tent or park a camper for both Saturday and Sunday night. Beyond food and merchandise vendors, there was also a section of the festival called Vibrations where there were drum circles and free expression platforms. Besides being home to the festival, the Liss Ard Estate offers several options for walking, swimming, exploring, and discovering the magic of the sky garden crater.
Also in Skibbereen is the Russagh Mill Hostel and Adventure Center, which offers a wide range of activities such as sea kayaking in the local Lough Hyne marine lake, abseiling, archery, orienteering, rock climbing, hill walking, and team building. A number of local schools go to Russagh Mill on field trips and it is a popular stop for cyclists and backpackers. The hostel is owned by Michael Murphy, a highly accomplished outdoor enthusiast, a member of the first and subsequent successful expeditions to Mt. Everest, as well as being one of the top Irish canoe coaches. Murphy has grown up in the area and now lives on his family farm. Also, the hostel invites volunteers from all over the world to work in exchange for room and board, as well as occasional participation in some of the outdoor activities offered at the Mill. Skibbereen's location near the coast of Ireland makes it a perfect place to pursue sea fishing, scuba diving, sailing, and kayaking.
Also, just outside of town is the Tragumna Beach where many people go to swim during the warmer months and also on 25 December for the traditional Christmas Day swim.
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