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Sceilg Mhichíl

Near Cahersiveen · Ireland

Background

World Heritage since
1996
Type of site
Cultural
Monastery founded
6th–8th c.

Sceilg Mhichíl is an outstanding, and in many respects unique, example of an early religious settlement deliberately sited on a pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of its remarkable environment. UNESCO says it illustrates, as no other property can, the extremes of the Christian monasticism that characterised much of North Africa, the Near East and Europe.

The island lies 11.6 km west of the Iveragh Peninsula and rises to 218 m; its Gaelic monastery, founded between the 6th and 8th centuries, sits at 170 to 180 m on the northern peak, reached by steep stone steps from three landing points. Wikivoyage says it is first documented in a Viking raid of 823, that boats sail from Portmagee on calm days from May to September, 45 minutes each way, and that only 15 licensed boats of 12 passengers may land each day, so midsummer trips are fully booked and often blown out.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 6th–8th c.Monks found the monastery on the northern peak
  2. 823A Viking raid, the first reliable record of the island
  3. 11th c.The monastic complex expands
  4. 1996Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    The Monastery
    Beehive huts and oratories towards the east peak, in unusually good condition.
  2. 2
    The Stone Steps
    Narrow, steep flights rising from the landing points, with the Wailing Woman rock along the South Steps.
  3. 3
    Christ's Saddle
    The central valley between the two peaks, at 129 m, with views of the South Peak.
  4. 4
    Little Skellig
    The twin island, a nature reserve with 35,000 pairs of gannets; no landing.
  5. 5
    Puffins and Seals
    Puffins, razorbills and about fifty grey seals, with seals and dolphins seen from the boat.
  6. 6
    Skellig Experience
    The visitor centre in Portmagee, and all you will see if the weather turns.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

May to September Only
Wikivoyage: 15 licensed boats carrying 12 each may land per day, 180 people; book well ahead and have a Plan B, as trips are often called off and cannot be rebooked.
No Rails, No Facilities
There are no safety rails on the paths and no toilets or shelter on the island; two tourists died in falls in 2009. Dogs, small children and anyone with impaired mobility may not land.
From Portmagee
The usual departure point, a 45-minute crossing; boats sometimes sail from elsewhere on the Kerry coast.
Bring Everything
Food, water, stout clothes and shoes and any medication; watch the horizon on the boat to keep sea-sickness down.

Out to the Rock

Not yet in a GoGo guide

  1. 08:30
    Skellig Experience, Portmagee45 min
    The introduction before you sail.
  2. 09:30
    Boat to Skellig Michael45 min
    The crossing, watching for seals and dolphins.
  3. 10:30
    The Steps and the Monastery2.5 hrs
    Up past Christ's Saddle to the beehive huts.
  4. 13:30
    Return Past Little Skellig45 min
    The gannet colony on the twin rock.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May–Sep. Rainy season Nov–Jan.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Dec (169 mm), driest Apr (87 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 757 · Wikipedia: Skellig Michael · Wikivoyage: Skellig Michael (CC BY-SA 4.0) · UNESCO listing