Located about 12km off the coast of County Kerry, near the Iveragh Peninsula, are the beautiful islands of Skellig. The smaller island is home to a vast variety of birds and wildlife, while the larger of the two islands, Skellig Michael, is home to an awe-inspiring 6th century Christian Monastery.
The Monastery was founded between the 5th and 6th centuries by a group of monks who established the holy ground in the name of St. Michael. The monks lived in peace upon the island until sometime around the 12th and 13th century, when increasingly dangerous weather and the state of the Irish church required them to relocate to an abbey in Ballinskelligs.
flickr/Kilaana
Skellig Michael
flickr/Arian Zwegers
Skellig Michael Monastery and Little Skellig
In the year 1996, Skellig Michael was announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in that the site gives an insight into early monastic and religious communities, and allows for tourists to view a spectacular environment that is home to rare and beautiful wildlife. Skellig Michael, as well as Little Skellig, are home to distinctive birds such as the Puffin, the Arctic Tern, the Black Guillemot, the Razorbill and many other species of birds!
There are several tours that set out on a Skellig Michael adventure from the port of Portmagee. These tours operate between the months of April up until October and only operate if the weather permits the journey, mainly because the steps up to the monastery are unsafe during wet or windy weather.
flickr/Matt Smyth
Steps to the top of Skellig Michael
flickr/Matt Smyth
Puffin on Skellig Michael
Most tour operators dictate certain departure times and the amount of time spent on the island. They also provide valuable information about the monastery and the wildlife, as well as allowing for another stop at Little Skellig. Some tours even offer visitors the opportunity to dive into the ocean around certain points of the islands!
Hiking through the island trails and visiting the historic monastery allows for adventurers to take in the splendor of the Atlantic Ocean views and the peacefulness of the islands.
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