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