Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of County Kerry

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.

Guide Service Available: Mid May - October. At all other times this site is unmanned and visits are prohibited.

Free (separate charges for boat trip)

View Similar Tourist Attractions

• Dun Aonghasa
• National Concert Hall
• St Stephens Green
• National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
• Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
• Guinness Storehouse
• Somme Heritage Centre
• Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
• Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
• Dublinia
• Ulster American Folk Park
• Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
• Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
• Aras an Uachtarain
• Dwyer McAllister Cottage
• Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
• Derrynane House
• Ardfert Cathedral
• Funtasia Waterpark
• Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
• Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
• Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
• Mizen Head Signal Station
• Ulster Museum
• Malahide Castle
• Leopardstown Racecourse
• Queens University
• Titanic Belfast
• Dingle Oceanworld
• Aviva Stadium
• Bushmills Distillery
• Kilmainham Gaol
• King House
• National Gallery of Ireland
• National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
• Crag Cave
• Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
• The Hunt Museum
• Castletown House
• Carrickfergus Museum
• Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
• The Butlers Chocolate Experience
• Museum at the Mill
• Tayto Park
• National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
• Portumna Castle & Gardens
• Donegal County Museum
• Ferns Castle
• Navan Centre & Fort
• Burren National Park
• Ballycroy National Park
• Cobh Heritage Centre
• Listowel Castle
• Clare Museum
• House of Waterford Crystal
• Belfast Zoo
• The Main Guard
• Fort Lucan
• Doneraile Wildlife Park
• Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
• Croke Park & GAA Museum
• Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
• Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
• The Old Jameson Distillery
• Old Mellifont Abbey
• Ross Castle
• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
• Dublin Zoo
• Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
• The Ark
• Caherconnell Fort
• St Marys Abbey
• Coole Park
• Castle Ward House & Demesne
• Reginalds Tower
• Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
• Boyle Abbey
• Dunmore Cave
• Dunbrody Famine Ship
• Desmond Castle
• The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
• Tintern Abbey
• Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
• Chester Beatty Library
• Tower Museum
• Ormond Castle
• Armagh County Museum
• Killarney National Park
• VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
• Castlecomer Discovery Park
• Patrick Pearses Cottage
• Skibbereen Heritage Centre
• Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
• Connemara National Park
• Lusk Heritage Centre
• Kilkenny Castle
• Government Buildings
• Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Eagles Flying
• Swiss Cottage
• Russborough House
• Florence Court
• Skellig Michael
• National Photographic Archive
• Hill of Tara
• Glenveagh National Park
• Athenry Castle
• Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
• Christ Church Cathedral
• King Johns Castle
• Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
• Rock of Cashel
• Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
• Thomond Park Stadium
• Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
• Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
• Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
• Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
• Ennis Friary
• Larne Museum & Arts Centre
• Natural History Museum
• Funtasia Bettystown
• Skerries Mills
• Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
• Clonmacnoise
• Donegal Castle
• Enniskillen Castle Museum
• National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
• Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
• Emo Court
• Barryscourt Castle
• John F Kennedy Arboretum
• Armagh Planetarium
• Kerry County Museum
• Sligo Abbey
• Galway City Museum
• Saint Patricks Cathedral
• Aughnanure Castle
• Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
• Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
• Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
• Dungarvan Castle
• Iveagh Gardens
• Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
• Ceide Fields
• Viking Splash Tours
• National Wax Museum Plus
• Charles Fort
• Phoenix Park
• Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
• Desmond Hall
• Blarney Castle
• Jerpoint Abbey
• Jameson Experience Midleton
• Maynooth Castle
• Trim Castle
• The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
• Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
• Dromore Wood
• Avondale House & Forest Park
• Craggaunowen - The Living Past
• National Transport Museum
• Giants Causeway
• Aillwee Cave
• The Science Gallery
• Battle of the Boyne
• St Marys Church
• Adare Heritage Centre
• Ballyhack Castle
• Adare Castle
• Dublin Castle
• National Sea Life Centre
• Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
• Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
• Garylough Mill
• Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
• Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
• Cahir Castle
• Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
• Galway Atlantaquaria
• Rothe House & Garden
• Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
• Arigna Mining Experience
• Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
• Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Casino Marino
• Glendalough
• National Leprechaun Museum
• Farmleigh House & Estate
• Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
• Hugh Lane Gallery
• Famine Warhouse
• Parkes Castle
• Rathfarnham Castle
• Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
• National Library of Ireland
• Scattery Island Centre

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
• Knightstown Coffee
  (24.3km)NE
• Smugglers Inn, The
  (24.5km)NE
• O'Neills - The Point Bar
  (25.3km)NE
• Quinlans Kerry Fish
  (25.3km)NE
• Brookhaven House
  (25.7km)NE
• Butler Arms Hotel
  (25.7km)NE
• Old Cable House, The
  (26.1km)NE
• Iskeroon
  (26.7km)SE
• QC's Seafood Bar, Restaurant & Townhouse
  (29.0km)NE
• Ring of Kerry Quality Lamb
  (29.8km)NE
• Derrynane Hotel
  (30.5km)SE
• Westcove Farmhouse Shop
  (32.7km)NE
• Kerry Black Faced Mountain Lamb
  (36.0km)NE
• Irish Atlantic Sea Salt
  (40.3km)SE
• Milleens
  (40.5km)SE
• Quarry Restaurant, The
  (40.6km)NE

Self Catering

• Derrynane Hotel & Holiday Homes
  (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