Skellig Michael
A jagged rock pinnacle in the Atlantic crowned by a 6th-century monastery - a UNESCO island of ancient stone huts, seabirds and steep steps.
Saved in this browser only - no account, nothing sent anywhere. See your map
Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Skellig Michael is a dramatic pinnacle of rock rising two hundred metres from the Atlantic off the Kerry coast, where monks built a remote monastery in the sixth century. A UNESCO site of dry-stone beehive huts clinging to the summit, reached by six hundred ancient steps and alive with puffins, it is one of the most extraordinary places in Ireland, made famous anew by Star Wars.
What you actually see
- The monastery - the cluster of ancient dry-stone beehive huts on the summit.
- The ancient steps - the steep stone stairway climbing from the landing.
- Puffins and seabirds - the huge seabird colonies, including puffins in summer.
- The Atlantic setting - the jagged rock rising sheer from the ocean.
When to go
The short season from mid-May to September, when boats run and landings are permitted, entirely subject to the weather and the sea. Landing places are strictly limited and book far ahead.
Honest expectations
Landing is weather-dependent and often cancelled, and the limited permits sell out months ahead, so it takes planning and luck. The climb of six hundred unguarded ancient steps is steep and not for those with vertigo or poor mobility. Eco boat tours that circle without landing are an alternative.
Nearby
Portmagee and the Skellig Ring coast are the base; the Ring of Kerry is nearby.
What to pack for Skellig Michael
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
