While still in Kerry we went to the Skelligs. Largely on the inspiration of Patrick Mitchel. And when he said it was fine to have his small children on it then I thought it must be a walk in the park. So i blame him. Just to be clear.
The skelligs are here
From the mightly Wikipedia
Skellig Michael (from Sceilig Mhichíl in the Irish language, meaning Michael’s rock), also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean about 9 miles (14.5 kilometres) from the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is the larger of the two Skellig Islands.
After probably being founded in the 7th century, for 600 years the island was a centre of monastic life for Irish Christian monks. The Gaelic monastery, which is situated almost at the summit of the 230-metre-high rock became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is one of Europe’s better known but least accessible monasteries.
Let me just say that the boat ride out was the only really terrifying moment. I don’t even think we got a bad day but I was thrown out of my seat onto the floor on one occasiona and there was a fair amount of vomiting and tears and screaming involved.
That said…
The place is stunning.
There’s a main site that you can get to fairly easily. Apparently there was a hermitage; a separate site on the NE of the island. If the remoteness wasn’t remote enough for you.
Puffins always struck me as very sad looking birds. Like they’re always on the verge of tears or something. Anyhow this one turned round and tried to poo on me right after this photo. Bloody birds…
The island on the right is little Skellig. The person on the left standing nervouslyvery near the solid bit of the path is my wife.
It is a remarkably pointy, tilted pieve of rock. It’s not my poor photographic skills. it’s just the way it is.
Lots of fun. As long as you don’t look down.
