Skellig Michael
Category: Families, Outdoors, Nature/Wildlife, Sightseeing, Free
Type: Castles, Historic Homes & Sites, Visitor Centres, Tours, General Attractions
Ballinskellig Islands
Co Kerry
Co Kerry
Tel: +353 1 647 6912
Please mention ireland-guide.com when enquiring.
Skellig Michael also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of County Kerry
Skellig Michael
Georgina Campbell
Skellig Michael also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island and is the larger of the two Skellig islands in the Atlantic Ocean about 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) from the coast of Kerry.
Skellig Michael towers 218 metres (714ft) above the ocean, it is is one of Europe's better known but least accessible monasteries and is a designated World Heritage Site. On the summit you will find a remarkably well-preserved sixth century monastic settlement. The monks lived in stone 'beehive' huts, perched above nearly vertical cliff walls.
A visit to the monastery will entail a climb on 618 steps, it is a demanding climb and any person with health issues should consider carefully their own physical limitations before exploring this part of the site.
Along with its smaller neighbour, Little Skellig, Great Skellig is an important nature reserve.
Skellig Michael towers 218 metres (714ft) above the ocean, it is is one of Europe's better known but least accessible monasteries and is a designated World Heritage Site. On the summit you will find a remarkably well-preserved sixth century monastic settlement. The monks lived in stone 'beehive' huts, perched above nearly vertical cliff walls.
A visit to the monastery will entail a climb on 618 steps, it is a demanding climb and any person with health issues should consider carefully their own physical limitations before exploring this part of the site.
Along with its smaller neighbour, Little Skellig, Great Skellig is an important nature reserve.
Opening Time:
Guide Service Available: Mid May - October. At all other times this site is unmanned and visits are prohibited.
Admission Charge:
Free (separate charges for boat trip)
Directions
11.5km boat trip from Ballinskelligs, Portmagee or ValentiaView Similar Tourist Attractions
- Maynooth Castle
- Funtasia Bettystown
- Emo Court
- National Sea Life Centre
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- Boyle Abbey
- Armagh Planetarium
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Rothe House & Garden
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- St Stephens Green
- Ulster Museum
- Famine Warhouse
- King House
- Guinness Storehouse
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Museum at the Mill
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Ceide Fields
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- Tintern Abbey
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Dublin Castle
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Ormond Castle
- Castletown House
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- Chester Beatty Library
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Listowel Castle
- Desmond Castle
- Rock of Cashel
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- House of Waterford Crystal
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Ballycroy National Park
- Navan Centre & Fort
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Swiss Cottage
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Somme Heritage Centre
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Dromore Wood
- Giants Causeway
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- The Science Gallery
- Viking Splash Tours
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- Trim Castle
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- Ballyhack Castle
- Kilkenny Castle
- Arigna Mining Experience
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- Florence Court
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Parkes Castle
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- The Hunt Museum
- Dublin Zoo
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- Dungarvan Castle
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- National Gallery of Ireland
- National Concert Hall
- Belfast Zoo
- Eagles Flying
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- National Transport Museum
- Sligo Abbey
- Burren National Park
- Aughnanure Castle
- Queens University
- Galway City Museum
- Clonmacnoise
- National Library of Ireland
- Barryscourt Castle
- Desmond Hall
- Ferns Castle
- Caherconnell Fort
- Armagh County Museum
- Killarney National Park
- Carrickfergus Museum
- Adare Castle
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Cahir Castle
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Skerries Mills
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- Titanic Belfast
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Blarney Castle
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Ennis Friary
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- Donegal County Museum
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Reginalds Tower
- Ross Castle
- Athenry Castle
- The Main Guard
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Malahide Castle
- Derrynane House
- Connemara National Park
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Hill of Tara
- The Ark
- Dingle Oceanworld
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- Dublinia
- Coole Park
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Charles Fort
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- Crag Cave
- Bushmills Distillery
- National Leprechaun Museum
- Glenveagh National Park
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Donegal Castle
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- Tower Museum
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Iveagh Gardens
- Battle of the Boyne
- National Photographic Archive
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Government Buildings
- Clare Museum
- Dunmore Cave
- National Wax Museum Plus
- King Johns Castle
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- Aillwee Cave
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Kerry County Museum
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- Natural History Museum
- Aviva Stadium
- Tayto Park
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- Skellig Michael
- St Marys Church
- Dun Aonghasa
- Casino Marino
- Fort Lucan
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Glendalough
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Phoenix Park
- Garylough Mill
- St Marys Abbey
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Scattery Island Centre
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- Russborough House
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
Local Recommendations
Hospitality
- Moorings, The
(17.5km)NE - Skelligs Chocolate Co
(18.4km)NE - Cill Rialaig Café
(19.8km)NE - Valentia Island Farmhouse Ice Cream
(22.9km)NE - Smugglers Inn, The
(24.5km)NE - Quinlans Kerry Fish
(25.3km)NE - O'Neills - The Point Bar
(25.3km)NE - Sea Lodge Waterville
(25.6km)NE - Dooley's Waterfront Bar & Restaurant
(25.7km)NE - SeaClusion Luxury Guest Accommodation
(25.7km)NE - Butler Arms Hotel
(25.7km)NE - Old Cable House, The
(26.1km)NE - Quinlan & Cooke Boutique Townhouse & QCs Seafood Restaurant
(29.0km)NE - Kerry Black Faced Mountain Lamb
(36.0km)NE - Irish Atlantic Sea Salt
(40.3km)SE - Milleens
(40.5km)SE - Kells Bay House and Gardens & Sala Thai Restaurant
(40.9km)NE - Burns Butchers
(44.1km)NE - Sacre Coeur Restaurant
(44.2km)NE - O'Sullivan's Butchers
(44.3km)NE
Self Catering
- Oceanfront Cottages at Derrynane Hotel
(30.5km)SE - Dingle Marina Cottages
(44.7km)NE
Farmers Markets
- Valentia Island - Co Kerry - Wednesday & Saturday
(24.5km)NE - Cahirciveen - County Kerry - Thursdays (seasonal)
(29.2km)NE - Caherdaniel - Fridays (seasonal) - Co Kerry
(29.9km)NE - Dingle Farm Produce & Craft - County Kerry - Fridays
(45.1km)NE
Tourist Attractions
-
Skellig Michael
(0.0km)NE -
Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
(17.7km)NE -
Derrynane House
(27.8km)NE -
The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
(40.7km)NE -
Dingle Oceanworld
(45.0km)NE -
Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
(46.8km)NE
Golf Courses
- Waterville Golf Club
(24.8km) NE - Skellig Bay Golf Club
(25.4km) NE - Dooks Golf Club
(54.6km) NE
Gardens
- Glanleam House & Subtropical Garden
(23.7km)NE
Nearby Towns/Areas
- Portmagee
(17.5km) NE - Ballinskelligs
(18.5km) NE - Valentia Island
(24.3km) NE - Waterville
(25.7km) NE - Cahirciveen
(28.9km) NE - Caherdaniel
(30.5km) SE - Castle Cove
(34.4km) NE - Eyeries
(40.5km) SE - Ventry
(42.4km) NE - Castletownbere
(44.8km) SE
Apps and Books
-
From Tide to Table by Georgina Campbell
Paperback edition of From Tide to Table - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Buying, Prep ...more... -
Georgina Campbell's Ireland - The Best of the Best
A selective companion guide to our famous broad-based online collection, the ‘glovebox bib ...more...
Comments
There are currently no comments
Leave a comment
Not a member? Register for your free membership now!
Or leave a comment by logging in with: