The ‘Stories of the Revolution’ exhibition showcases highlights of a unique oral history project consisting of thousands of stories on the 1916-23 revolutionary period in West Cork.
These accounts, many of them previously unrecorded – collected by 823 children from older members of their community – were published by Skibbereen Heritage Centre in the form of an online archive and book in 2022.
The ‘Stories of the Revolution’ exhibition covers various aspects of life in West Cork during this turbulent time — from civilians’ difficult daily lives to those directly involved in the conflict — all enhanced by original artwork and images. The topics covered include people’s everyday lives, the IRA, Black and Tans and Cumann na mBan as well as arrests and escapes, safe houses, arms dumps, the RIC, the Civil War and much more.