The Skelligs

Extremely remote, craggy, inhospitable and tragic, yet hauntingly beautiful, are just some of the ways travel writers have described Skellig Michael.  

 

Located about nine miles off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula, Skellig Michael is reached by boat.
 

 

Settled by monks in the 6th century, the reason to brave the boat trip out to Skellig Michael is to visit the remains of the monastery, which include six beehive cells and two oratories.  The monks lived here continuously for somewhere between 500 - 600 years, surviving attacks by the Vikings in the 8th century.  They finally retreated to the Augustinian priory at Ballinskelligs on the mainland in the 12th century.

 

Visitors to the island are faced with a significant climb up rambling stairs carved into the stone.  Those who succeed are rewarded with a visit to a terraced area including the remains of a church, oratories, cells, and many crosses and cross slabs.

 

You don't need to go out to the island to learn about it, however.  The Skellig Experience, just off the Ring of Kerry route on Valentia Island, tells the story of the monks through a series of displays and audiovisual presentations. 

 














You can read more here:  Skellig Experience web site and here:  Unesco World Heritage web page 

You Tube videos here:

http://youtu.be/x2GfyeTbJ_Y

http://youtu.be/L_w4yI0HOZo