A Visit to the Skellig Islands, Ireland

The Skellig Islands are two steep and rocky islands lying about 10 miles off the coast of western Ireland....10 very long miles when the seas are rough.


A trip to these islands was one of the highlights of my three week visit to Ireland last year. Little Skellig Island is home to 28,000 breeding pairs of gannets. Skellig Michael is the larger of the islands and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the home of Christian monks in the 6th century.


If you`re in the vicinity of the Kerry Way, or western Ireland for that matter, allow one full day to visit these islands. Unfortunately you`ll need some Irish luck just to get there. Trips run on approximately 100 days of the year - the rest of the time it`s too unsafe. Most boats leave the pretty town of Portmagee, 20 minutes from Cahirciveen, one of the larger towns on the Kerry Way. Reserve a trip beforehand - either with the help of your B&B host or visit one of the following websites: www.skelligstrips.com or www.skelligsrock.com or email lobsterb@iol.ie.


It typically takes about 45 minutes to reach the islands - if you`re on a fast boat. The boats first make a pass around Little Skellig Island to see the gannets. The sheer mass of birds is an unbelievable spectacle especially when you consider their six foot wingspan.


Then it`s onto Skellig Michael, where you`re typically given two hours to visit. From the docks begin climbing. There are 600 steps to negotiate without any handrails. Anyone handicapped by vertigo will be challenged. Be prepared for a certain airiness in places. But swallow your fears and GO. You won`t be disappointed.


On a sunny day the island is gorgoeous. When I was there it was covered in wildflowers and puffins were in abundance. Once you`ve reached the beehive huts you can turnaround and descend. Many people choose to come down on their rear ends. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the one flat spot which is also a great viewpoint to see the puffins taking off and landing. Give thanks you weren`t the poor cow whose home was the 200 square feet of flat grass halfway up.


Be warned that there are no bathrooms on the island.


Written and contributed by Leigh McAdam
www.hikebiketravel.com