Skibbereen Eagle
Keeping an eye on the Czar of Russia since 1898
The legendary Skibbereen Eagle newspaper was founded in 1857 in the small town in West Cork, Ireland from which it took its name. It was initially a monthly publication and then became weekly, grandiosely expounding its British imperialistic stance on local, national and international affairs as it was aimed squarely at its rea
dership, the local Protestant land owning and merchant classes or as they were nicknamed by Irish Nationalists the "West Brits." In the late 19th Century the town was not the sleepy and rather lovely tourist backwater it is today but a busy commercial hub with steamship services and two railways the Cork, Bandon and South Coast Railway and the narrow gauge Schull and Skibbereen Railway. Perhaps the most famous moment, worldwide, for The Skibbereen Eagle was when it became embroiled in international relations with Russia in 1898 which became known as "keeping an eye on Russia". Rather grandly the editorial claimed: "It [The Eagle] will still keep its eye on the Emperor of Russia and all such despotic enemies - whether at home or abroad - of human progression and man's natural rights which undoubtedly include a nation's right to self-government. 'Truth', 'Liberty', 'Justice' and the 'Land for the People' are the solid foundations on which the Eagle's policy is based." The intrepid editor and proprietor Frederick Potter used in his editorial a report on a secret treaty by Russia [the Eagle is keeping its eye on the Emperor] to expand its territory into the Muslim lands of the Caucus in a vicious campaign spearheaded by the Cossack Cavalry - the source of the bitter tension and Russian oppression which exists to this day in Chechnya, Dagestan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. This phrase became famous over several decades causing at one point the embarrassed Irish Times to make an uncomplimentary reference to it in a somewhat disdainful fashion, though it later apologised, regretting "its hasty and inadvertent blunder". By then, however, the bold little newspaper was famous for the "eye on Russia" saga. This newspaper was superseded by the Southern Star, founded in 1889, its first editor D.D. Sheehan, and included amongst its shareholders one Michael Collins. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. The chiel amang ye takin’notes. It was the Skibbereen, or West Cork Eagle newspaper, that solemnly told Lord Palmerston that it had “got its eye both upon him and on the Emperor of Russia.” This terrible warning has elevated the little insignificant town of Skibbereen, in the southwest coast of Ireland, quite into a Lilliputian pre-eminence. Beware, beware, ye statesmen, emperors, and thrones, for the Skibbereen Eagle has its eye upon you! Now the Spirit of the Skibbereen Eagle has been revived on the internet with this successor casting a cold eye on the world and its comings and goings. Beware, beware, ye statesmen, emperors, Tories and thrones, for the Skibbereen Eagle still has its eye upon you! Top Ten Skibbereen Facts
1. The name “Skibbereen” means “Little Boat Harbour”.
2. Prior to 1600 most of the land belonged to the native McCarthy tribe – today McCarthy remains the town’s most common surname.
3. At the height of the famine in 1847, the body of an unnamed boy, taken for lifeless was placed in a coffin in the Town Square and conveyed for burial to the Abbey Cementry. As he was lowered into the pit, the youth regained conciousness and walked unaided from the grave.
4. It is probable that some 8,000 – 10,000 Famine victims are buried in the Famine Burial Pits of Abbeystrewerey Cementary.
5. The Temperance Hall was the site of the foundation of the first Temperance Society (abstaining from alcohol) in Europe. Built in 1833 it has been succeeded by Skibbereen’s 26 well patronised pubs.
6. General Michael Collins had his last meal in the Eldon Hotel in Skibbereen before he was shot in an ambush later that evening in 1922.
7. The Skibbereen Eagle, a newspaper founded in 1857, became famous by declaring it was “keeping an eye on the Czar of Russia” over his expansionist designs on China. This newspaper was superceded by the Southern Star, founded in 1889 which included amongst its shareholders one General Michael Collins.
8. Skibbereen and the nearby villages were chosen as location for the making of the film “War of the Buttons”.
9. Skibbereen and the nearby villages are the home to many international celebrities such as film producer Lord David Puttnam, actor Jeremy Irons, Ireland’s richest man Dr Tony O’Reilly, lateral-thinker Edward de Bono and others.
10. Recent luminaries who have chosen Skibbereen as their holiday destination include British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the supergroup Oasis.
