It's been a big year for West Cork, which means it's also been a big year for the Southern Star.
Our top ten stories of 2025 feature some of the highs and lows our community has experienced over the past year.
The top story of 2025 is about the Skibbereen furniture factory O’Donnell Designs announcing their closure.
ADVERTISEMENT
Click the headlines to read the stories.
1. Factory to close with 20-job loss
‘The Irish market is difficult, almost impossible.’ says company founder Jim O’Donnell.
The Skibbereen furniture factory O’Donnell Designs announced it's closure with the loss of 20 jobs back in October.
Market collapse has been blamed for the decision to cease trading, according to the company founder Jim O’Donnell.
2. New solicitor advised to get ‘a good pensionable job’
Tom Murphyy was introduced at Clonakilty District Court by Jim Brooks (left), on the steps of the courthouse with Tom's mentor Liam Crowley.
An award-winning but newly qualified solicitor, Tom Murphy, was formally introduced to Judge John King at a sitting of Clonakilty District Court in October.
3. Scars deepen, as Cork needs time to heal
The pain of defeat: Dejected Cork players look on as Tipperary lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup after the All-Ireland hurling final. (Photo: George Hatchell)
It's the final that will be remembered in Cork for all the wrong reasons.
The expected coronation was hijacked, leaving a county battling to comprehend how it all went so badly wrong.
Noreen Ring from Ballinhassig, she is concerned that her plans to rebuild her grand parents house could be put on hold as a proposed Greenway will be going through their lands
Landowners and homeowners along a preferred route for the Cork Kinsale Greenway have disputed published material that they were consulted about the development during Phase 2 of the project timeline in July of this year.
5. Castlehaven ties to the Áras
President Higgins and wife Sabina attend the wedding of Nollaig Cleary and Micheál Ó Cróínín, at the Church of the Nativity of our Lady, Timoleague, December 2013
A West Cork family can claim a close connection to Áras an Uachtaráin, in particular Sabina Higgins, who has on many occasions made them feel welcome at the president’s residence in the Phoenix Park.
Nollaig Cleary, from Castlehaven, who was part of the Cork Ladies Football team that won the All-Ireland Ladies Football Final in 2012, outlined the closeness of the connection.
6. End of an era at Liss Ard Estate
Liss Ard Estate is closing its hotel operation after more than 30 years and will in future be used for corporate events and exclusive weddings.
The estate on Castletownshend Road, Russagh, Skibbereen is to become a venue for company workshops, team-building events and weddings as part of the transformation by current owners, Californian property firm The Aspen Company.
Storm Amy made landfall in West Cork with gale force winds. The high winds caused huge waves to smash against the rocks in Rosscarbery. (Photo Andy Gibson)
Met Éireann had issued a yellow weather warning for Ireland for Storm Amy back in October.
Some questioned this whether this warning should have been upgraded due to how badly West Cork was battered.
8. The quirky West Cork village where everybody gets a welcome
The tower of St Barrahane's church, overlooking Castletowshend.
Mary McCarthy met a man who recalls growing up in Castletownshend – one of the area’s most popular coastal villages, loved by locals and tourists alike – which may even boast the country’s very first roundabout!
9. West Cork restaurants named best in county
Chestnut in Ballydehob won Best Customer Service in Cork. Michelin-starred head chef Rob Krawczyk, centre left, and Selina Hegarty were in attendance to collect the award.
Four West Cork restaurants were honoured at the 2025 Munster Regional Irish Restaurant Awards in April.
10. Six rescued in one day at Inchydoney beach
The scene at Inchydoney as swimmers are brought ashore and right, signs warning about the dangers of tides and currents at the beach. (Photo: Denis Boyle)
Cork County Council was urged to bring forward the beach lifeguard season to the month of May, after six swimmers had a lucky escape in Inchydoney Beach on May 1st, after getting caught in a rip current.
