Skelligs Islands - Skellig Michael Boat Trips
Magic that takes you out, far out,
of this time and this world.
George Bernard Shaw, speaking of the Skelligs when he visited in 1910.
One of the most mysterious and enchanting
of our local attractions is the Skellig Rocks. These floating
pyramids of sandstone have been home to some of the earliest
monastic settlements in Ireland as well as providing
sanctuary to fantastic numbers of birdlife in the
area. A visit is a must and boat trips to the rock
are available every Summer from April to late September.
The nearby Skelligs Experience heritage centre in Valentia
brings the sights and sounds of Skelligs to life. Skelligs
is a magical place and it would be a crime to come to Kerry
and not experience it.
Boat Trips to Skelligs
You can take a trip to skelligs to view these
magnificent natural monuments up close and personal. Skelligs
Trips generally run from late April to late September
depending on the weather. Boats generally leave at 10 in
the morning and arrive back at 3 o' clock, give or take
a half hour.
The trip will cost you in the region of €45
but is well worth it.
If you've got sea legs, you have a distinct advantage since
the seas can get quite choppy from time to time.
But after climbing up and down 600 steps
most people build up quite an appetite - groups of ravenous
sea-farers invade the bar and restaurant for a hearty Irish
meal as soon as the boats arrive in.
You can read more about what you need to know in advance of your trip in our Skellig Islands Boat Trips - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Skelligs History
Mentions of these two majestic outposts are
scattered throughout ancient floklore and early Christian
history alike. The earliest reference found so far dates
back to around 1400 BC! A poem tells the tale of
how the Tuatha De Danann caused the invader, Milesius, to
shipwreck in the area. A later reference, circa 200 AD,
tells of Daire Domhain - King of the World - resting there
before an epic year and a day battle against Fionn Mac Cool
and the Fianna.
From this point on, the history of Skellig
is very much a Christian one. The amazingly well-preserved
monastic settlements still intact on Skellig Michael,
date back to as early as the 6th Century.
Skelligs Rock Ecology
Small Skellig, as the second island is known,
is the second largest gannet colony in the world.
Other species such as cormorant, and varieties of gull also
inhabit the island. Skellig Michael itself is home to a
wide variety of birdlife including the iconic puffin who is strongly associated with the rocks.
Most recent estimates put the puffin population at around 4,000 and, if you want to see them, it's best to come as early in the season as you can as they migrate off the island by early June.
The Skelligs Experience
Your other option is to visit the nearby Skelligs Experience
heritage centre. The centre is open from April until
November and provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects
of the Skelligs. You can buy Skelligs memorabilia at the
gift shop or watch the specially produced Skelligs video.
Further Reading
For those who are interested in learning more about the
Skellig, we recommend Des Lavelle's 'The
Skellig Story' which is a wonderful guide to the
history, folklore and wildlife of the islands written by
a man who has spent more time studying the Skelligs than
any other.
For a deeper investigation of the historical and religious context that inspired the monks, as well as an evocative and factually accurate imagining of their day to day life, Geoffrey Moorehouse's Sun Dancing: Life in a medieval Irish monastery and how Celtic spirituality influenced the world
is very illuminating.
We can also highly recommend Skelligs Chocolates who produce exceedingly good chocolate in their factory in St. Finian's Bay, at the other side of the mountain from Portmagee.
If you want to experience something truly out of the ordinary, something
that wakes you up to another world and to yourself, visit
Skelligs. Simply, an unforgettable experience.