Unsafe place in Ireland

Skellig Michael is a small, rocky island located off the coast of County Kerry in southwest Ireland. The island is approximately 12.5 acres (5 hectares) in size and rises 714 feet (218 meters) above sea level. It is home to a unique and well-preserved early Christian monastery that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

Skellig Michael (Irish: Sceilg Mhichíl also called Great Skellig) is a twin-pinnacled crag 11.6 kilometres (7.2 mi) west of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. The island is named after the archangel Michael, with "Skellig" derived from the Irish language word sceilig, meaning a splinter of stone. Its twin island, Little Skellig (Sceilig Bheag), is smaller and inaccessible (landing is not permitted). The two islands rose c. 374–360 million years ago during a period of mountain formation, along with the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range. Later, they were separated from the mainland by rising water levels.

Skellig Michael consists of approximately 22 hectares (54 acres) of rock, with its highest point, known as the Spit, 218 m (714 ft) above sea level. The island is defined by its twin peaks and intervening valley (known as Christ's Saddle), which make its landscape steep and inhospitable. It is best known for its Gaelic monastery, founded between the 6th and 8th centuries, and its variety of inhabiting species, which include gannets, puffins, a colony of razorbills and a population of approximately fifty grey seals.[3] The island is of special interest to archaeologists, as the monastic settlement is in unusually good condition. The rock contains the remains of a tower house, a megalithic stone row and a cross-inscribed slab known as the Wailing Woman. The monastery is situated at an elevation of 170 to 180 m (550 to 600 ft), Christ's Saddle at 129 m (422 ft), and the flagstaff area at 37 m (120 ft) above sea level.

The monastery can be approached by narrow and steep flights of stone steps which ascend from three landing points. The hermitage on the south peak contains a dangerous approach and is largely closed to the public. Because of the often difficult crossing from the mainland and the exposed nature of the landing spots, the island is accessible only during summer months. UNESCO designated Skellig Michael a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Skellig Michael was first settled by Christian monks in the 6th century. The monks built a monastery on the island that consisted of a series of beehive-shaped huts, or clocháns, and two oratories, or small chapels. The monastery was built on a flat terrace about 600 feet (183 meters) above sea level, and was accessible only by a steep and treacherous stairway carved into the rock.

The monks who lived on Skellig Michael were known as the "Culdees" and were part of a monastic movement that originated in Ireland and Scotland. They lived in isolation on the island, devoting their lives to prayer and contemplation. They also maintained a vegetable garden and kept livestock, using the island's resources to sustain themselves.

The monastery on Skellig Michael was inhabited until the 12th century, when the monks abandoned the island and moved to the mainland. The reasons for their departure are not entirely clear, but may have been related to changing political and economic conditions in Ireland at the time.

In the centuries that followed, Skellig Michael was used as a place of pilgrimage and a refuge for travelers in times of war. The island was also used as a lighthouse site from the 1820s until 1987, when the lighthouse was automated.

UNESCO World Heritage Site:

Skellig Michael was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 in recognition of its unique and well-preserved early Christian monastery. The island's remote location and difficult terrain have helped to preserve the monastery's structures and artifacts, giving visitors a glimpse into the lives of the monks who lived there over a thousand years ago.

Visiting Skellig Michael

Visitors to Skellig Michael must take a boat tour from the mainland, as there are no accommodations or facilities on the island itself. Access to the island is limited and regulated to protect the site's fragile ecosystem and ensure visitor safety.

The boat trip to Skellig Michael can be rough, and the climb up the steep stairway to the monastery can be challenging, so visitors should be prepared for a physically demanding experience. However, the breathtaking views from the island and the opportunity to see one of Ireland's most important historical sites up close make the journey well worth it.

In recent years, Skelling Michael has gained additional fame as a filming location for the Star Wars movie franchise. The island was used as a location for the final scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and featured prominently in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. However, despite the island's newfound popularity, the monastery on Skellig Michael remains a testament to Ireland's early Christian heritage and a symbol of the resilience and ingenuity of the monks who lived there over a thousand years ago.

Why is Skellig Michael famous?

Skellig Michael is the site of a Monastic Settlement dating back to the 6th century; however, one can find legendary accounts of Skelling Michael which date to pagan times, back in 1400 BC. Skellig Michael is the most westerly sacred site in Europe and it also finishes the line of ancient pilgrimage places in Europe.

Who lives on Skellig island?

The Small Skellig boasts the second largest colony of Gannets in the world, providing shelter to over 27,000 pairs of these seabirds. Some of the other species that inhabit the island include Puffins, Storm Petrels, and Manx shearwaters.