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)
Map markers
You are here
Distance
- 10km
- 25km
- 50km
Directions
11.5km boat trip from Ballinskelligs, Portmagee or ValentiaView Similar Tourist Attractions
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Local Recommendations
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(17.5km)NE - Skelligs Chocolate Co
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(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...
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