Skibbereen is rightly known as the capital of West Cork. It is the "hub" from which the many "sparkling jewels" of the area can be reached. Around each headland the unsuspecting visitor will encounter a coastline dominated by scenic harbours and colourful fishing villages, secluded beaches and dozens of sparcely populated islands which have, over recent decades lost their Gaelic speaking colonies but now offer endless hours of opportunity in exploring and encounterinhg an Ireland as it was lived down through the ages.