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The centre of the town is considered particularly attractive, with the storefronts of the shops and restaurants painted in bright colors. Many tourists, particularly from the United Kingdom and the United States, are attracted to Clonakilty during the summer months, and the population of the town can swell by as much as 2,000 visitors at this time. Visitors go to several nearby beaches, visit the pubs, walk in the local countryside, and take their children to see the West Cork Model Railway Village.
The streets of Clonakilty are strikingly clean, and the town was given an award as "Ireland's tidiest town" in 1999. The cleanliness is the result in part of the voluntary efforts of local shopkeepers and staff. The traditional culture of the town is evident in the fact that only women participate in voluntary street cleaning.
In Clonakilty was born, and lived, Michael Collins, leader of the IRA and later the Free State movement, which campaigned for independence from the British in the 1900- 21 period. He is widely regarded as one of Ireland's leading historical figures. He was killed by republican followers of the IRA movement during the Civil War. A monumental statue of Michael Collins by local artist Kevin Holland was erected in the center of Clonakilty and dedicated in 2002.
Clonakilty is also known for its world famous black pudding, which is fried or grilled pig offal in intestine. "Irish Yogurts", a well-known yogurt brand, is produced in the town from local milk.
Clonkilty was one of the destinations on the West Cork Railway , an Irish mainline railway from Cork City to various parts of West Cork, shut down in 19611961 (As MAD Magazine pointed out on its first cover for the year) was the first "upside-down" year i. one that looked the same upside down since 1881, and the last until 6009. Events January January 1 The farthing coin, used since the 13th century, cease. See Irish railway historyThe history of rail transport in Ireland began only a decade later than that of Great Britain. By its peak in 1920, Ireland as a whole had 3,400 route miles of railway. The current status is less than half that amount, with a large unserviced area around.