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
- Dalkey Castle & Heritage Centre
- Edmund Rice Heritage Centre
- Funtasia Bettystown
- Dunbrody Famine Ship
- The Main Guard
- Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre
- Skibbereen Heritage Centre
- National Photographic Archive
- Ros Tapestry Exhibition Centre
- Desmond Castle
- Castle Ward House & Demesne
- Ardfert Cathedral
- Coole Park
- Navan Centre & Fort
- Glenveagh National Park
- Adare Heritage Centre
- Larne Museum & Arts Centre
- Crag Cave
- Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
- Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
- Athenry Castle
- National Museum of Ireland - Country Life
- National Sea Life Centre
- Sligo Abbey
- Burren National Park
- Dan OHaras Heritage & History Centre
- Marble Arch Caves & Global Geopark
- Casino Marino
- Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre
- Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farm
- Trinity College Dublin & Book of Kells
- Galway Atlantaquaria
- Roscrea Castle & Heritage Centre
- Old Mellifont Abbey
- Lusk Heritage Centre
- Hill of Tara
- Sentry Hill & Visitor Centre
- Christ Church Cathedral
- Thomond Park Stadium
- Donegal Castle
- Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) - Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- Adare Castle
- Avondale House & Forest Park
- Tintern Abbey
- Belfast Zoo
- Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
- Tayto Park
- Ormond Castle
- Farmleigh House & Estate
- Dublin City Hall - Story of the Capital
- Dingle Oceanworld
- House of Waterford Crystal
- Parkes Castle
- Killarney National Park
- Ceide Fields
- The Old Jameson Distillery
- Rock of Cashel
- Guinness Storehouse
- National Concert Hall
- Wexford Wildfowl Reserve
- Doolin Cave & Visitor Centre
- Foynes Flying Boat Museum
- Queens University
- Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre
- Museum at the Mill
- Hook Lighthouse & Heritage Centre
- Leopardstown Racecourse
- Glendalough
- Gallarus Oratory & Gallarus Castle
- Ballyhack Castle
- Jerpoint Abbey
- Pearse Museum & St. Endas Park
- Tower Museum
- Bushmills Distillery
- Carrickfergus Museum
- Castletown House
- Skellig Michael
- Glebe House & Gallery - The Derek Hill Collection
- Cruachan Ai Heritage Centre
- Lough Key Forest & Activity Park
- Clare Museum
- Iveagh Gardens
- National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
- The Ark
- The Burren Centre - Gateway to the Burren
- Dublin Zoo
- Aras an Uachtarain
- Ferns Castle
- Kilbeggan Distillery Experience
- VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art & The George Bernard Shaw Theatre
- Derrynane House
- Ballycroy National Park
- Titanic Belfast
- Kilmainham Gaol
- Reginalds Tower
- Viking Splash Tours
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre - Ashtown Castle
- Funtasia Waterpark
- Saint Patricks Cathedral
- Desmond Hall
- Armagh County Museum
- The Science Gallery
- Skerries Mills
- National Library of Ireland
- National Wax Museum Plus
- The Blascaoid Centre - Ionad an Bhlascaoid Mhoir
- Patrick Pearses Cottage
- Kilkenny Castle
- Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
- Giants Causeway
- Florence Court
- Listowel Castle
- Maynooth Castle
- Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
- Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium
- Malahide Castle
- Xtreme.ie - Adventure Centre
- Cliffs of Moher - Visitor Experience
- Natural History Museum
- Emo Court
- National Museum of Ireland - Archaeology
- Caherconnell Fort
- Lahinch Seaworld & Leisure Centre
- Charles Fort
- Government Buildings
- Jameson Experience Midleton
- Connemara National Park
- Barryscourt Castle
- National Aquatic Centre - AquaZone
- The Butlers Chocolate Experience
- Dublin Castle
- Armagh Planetarium
- Enniskillen Castle Museum
- Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
- Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre
- Kerry County Museum
- Cobh Heritage Centre
- Craggaunowen - The Living Past
- Dungarvan Castle
- Russborough House
- St Marys Abbey
- Aviva Stadium
- Dunmore Cave
- Garylough Mill
- Blarney Castle
- Chester Beatty Library
- Dun Aonghasa
- Arigna Mining Experience
- Phoenix Park
- Newgrange & Knowth - Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre
- Westport House, Gardens & Pirate Adventure Park
- Cahir Castle
- Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship Famine Museum
- Newmills Corn & Flax Mills
- John F Kennedy Arboretum
- National Gallery of Ireland
- Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway
- Ulster Folk & Transport Museum
- The Hunt Museum
- Famine Warhouse
- Dwyer McAllister Cottage
- Exploris Aquarium & Seal Sanctuary
- Doneraile Wildlife Park
- Croke Park & GAA Museum
- National Leprechaun Museum
- St Stephens Green
- Rothe House & Garden
- Imaginosity - Dublins Children Museum
- Wicklow Mountains National Park
- Aillwee Cave
- Scattery Island Centre
- National Transport Museum
- Clonmacnoise
- Battle of the Boyne
- King House
- Mid Antrim Museum at The Braid
- Castlecomer Discovery Park
- Number Twenty Nine - Georgian House Museum
- Eagles Flying
- Dromore Wood
- Fort Lucan
- Boyle Abbey
- Portumna Castle & Gardens
- Swiss Cottage
- Galway City Museum
- Ennis Friary
- Donegal County Museum
- Ulster Museum
- Dublinia
- Ross Castle
- Somme Heritage Centre
- Mizen Head Signal Station
- Trim Castle
- Hugh Lane Gallery
- Ulster American Folk Park
- St Marys Church
- King Johns Castle
- Rathfarnham Castle
- Aughnanure 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 - O'Neills - The Point Bar
(25.3km)NE - Quinlans Kerry Fish
(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 - Rí Fern Café @ Louis Mulcahy Pottery
(42.2km)NE - Rí Fern Café at Louis Mulcahy Pottery
(42.2km)NE - Burns Butchers
(44.1km)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...
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: