Clonakilty (/ˈklɔːnæˌkɪltiː/; Irish: Cloich na Coillte, meaning 'stone (castle) of the woods'),[2] sometimes shortened to Clon,[3][4] is a town in County Cork, Ireland.

The Clonakilty area has a number of ancient and pre-Celtic sites, including Lios na gCon ringfort.

[10] In 1292, Thomas De Roach received a charter to hold a market every Monday at Kilgarriffe (then called Kyle Cofthy or Cowhig's Wood), close to where the present town now stands.

[citation needed] In the 14th century, a ten-mile strip of fallow woodland called Tuath na gCoillte (the land of the woods) divided the barony of Ibane (Ardfield) and Barryroe and reached the sea at Clonakilty Bay.

However, almost immediately after Lord Forbes left Clonakilty, a large force of Catholic rebels attacked the town; the two Scottish companies refused to retreat and were killed to a man, while the Irish company fought their way out of the town to an abandoned ringfort near Rosscarbery, where they were relieved by Lord Forbes who had returned from Rathbarry.

[16][failed verification] The reunified force returned to Clonakilty and drove out the rebels, who fled towards the island of Inchydoney, where roughly six hundred of them drowned at high tide.

[17] There is a commemorative statue celebrating the Battle of the Big Cross in Asna Square in the centre of Clonakilty.

Collins later served as Chairman of the Provisional Government of Ireland and was instrumental in the founding of the Irish Free State.

In April 1943, a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was travelling from Morocco to England when it was forced to land at a marsh just outside Clonakilty.

[20] Clonakilty was founded on 5 May 1613, and on 5 May 2013, President Michael D. Higgins and his wife visited the town to commemorate 400 years since it obtained its original charter.

[34] De Barra's Folk Club has featured acts like Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Roy Harper, John Spillane and Frances Black.

In 2007, it was awarded the status of 'European Destination of Excellence' by the European Commission at a ceremony in Portugal and is Ireland's first recipient of this title.

Clonakilty black pudding originated in Edward Twomey's butcher shop in Pearse Street.

The secret spice recipe has been handed down through the generations since the 1880s, and is still known only to the Twomey family who continue to manufacture the pudding at the Clonakilty Food Company.

The museum tells the story of Collins' life and the history of Irish independence through tours, exhibits, interactive displays, and historical artefacts.

[52] A "Random Acts of Kindness Festival" was set up by the local Clonakilty Macra na Feirme Club.

[53] Clonakilty Street Carnival takes place in June of each year, and involves live music, activities and other events.

This sandy beach is a mile and a half long, and bounded by dunes at Castlefreke (a protected Special Area of Conservation).