W_Armstro
Skellig Michael seen from Valentia Island, Kerry, Ireland
'Situated off the coast of west County Kerry, Skellig Michael was probably founded in the 7th century. For 600 years the island was a centre of monastic life for Irish Christian monks. The Gaelic monastery, which is situated almost at the summit of the 230-metre-high rock became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is one of Europe's better known but least accessible monasteries.
Since the extreme remoteness of Skellig Michael has until recently discouraged visitors, the site is exceptionally well preserved. The very spartan conditions inside the monastery illustrate the ascetic lifestyle practiced by early Irish Christians. The monks lived in stone 'beehive' huts (clocháns), perched above nearly vertical cliff walls'.
(From Skellig Michael, Wikipedia)
Visit to Skellig Michael
To book a boat to Skellig Michael: B&B owners will usually do this for you. Payment is to the boatman (it was €40 in 2012).
A boat leaves Portmagee most days in summer. It's very casual.... make sure you get a place in advance (at least two weeks).
We almost didn't alight on the Skellig because of choppy waters (it looked like a perfect June day to me). Getting off the boat is tricky: you basically have to jump a metre or so onto a rock. The journey there is long and bumpy. Skellig Michael is breathtaking and very mysterious.... The 11th century monks' beehive huts are very intact. In May / June there are 100s of puffins that come up very close.....
Skellig Michael seen from Valentia Island, Kerry, Ireland
'Situated off the coast of west County Kerry, Skellig Michael was probably founded in the 7th century. For 600 years the island was a centre of monastic life for Irish Christian monks. The Gaelic monastery, which is situated almost at the summit of the 230-metre-high rock became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is one of Europe's better known but least accessible monasteries.
Since the extreme remoteness of Skellig Michael has until recently discouraged visitors, the site is exceptionally well preserved. The very spartan conditions inside the monastery illustrate the ascetic lifestyle practiced by early Irish Christians. The monks lived in stone 'beehive' huts (clocháns), perched above nearly vertical cliff walls'.
(From Skellig Michael, Wikipedia)
Visit to Skellig Michael
To book a boat to Skellig Michael: B&B owners will usually do this for you. Payment is to the boatman (it was €40 in 2012).
A boat leaves Portmagee most days in summer. It's very casual.... make sure you get a place in advance (at least two weeks).
We almost didn't alight on the Skellig because of choppy waters (it looked like a perfect June day to me). Getting off the boat is tricky: you basically have to jump a metre or so onto a rock. The journey there is long and bumpy. Skellig Michael is breathtaking and very mysterious.... The 11th century monks' beehive huts are very intact. In May / June there are 100s of puffins that come up very close.....