"An "out of the world" place!" Great Skelligs by PeteNL

Great Skelligs Travel Guide: 63 reviews and 107 photos

I had seen the Skelligg experience, a more or less interesting information centre on Valentia Island, just off the Ring of Kerry. But already there I had the feeling I needed to go to Skelligs itself to get a real picture of the place.

This feeling proved only right, when I first got on the boat from Ballinskelligs, on a sunny and warm morning, late september (!)

The boattrip was already unusual, flat sea, sitting in the sun in a T-shirt... (later I heard they often cancel visits late september because of the bad weather that time of year!)

The 600 odd steps uphill on Skellig Michael (or Great Skellig) are worth the climb. The old monastic settlement up there, dating back to the 6th century and abandoned in the 12th century, looks remarkably intact. Some restoring has been done, but much of it is in original state.

The feel of the place is more than just "special", it's "out of this world"! Imagine sitting in the Atlantic, an hour and a half by boat from the nearest shore, on a steap rock with an absolutely stunning view.....

Celtic cross in the monastery

The cross on the picture is said to be one of the earliest of it's kind - but then again everything on Skellig is from early Christian times.

Little Skellig, in the background hosts a gannett colony along with other birds - all in all 20,000! The droppings make the hilltop look a bit whitish....

I went back there later, in summertime, July..... but the weather was totally different! Overcast, high seas because of bad weather the night before, and the waves at times were higher than the ship! Some of my travelpartners and fellow travellers on the ship go some seasickness...
Still, once landed on the island the feeling was almost the same, though maybe not as "stunning" as the first time.

For details on the boattrips, I started with some tips Other than that I would like to refer to the great pages Globetrott and Sabsi made on the Skelligs!

Last visit to Great Skelligs: Jul 1998
Intro Updated Aug 4, 2003
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (2)

Take one of the various boattrips - or... Transportation (1)

You go to various places along the coast for a boat trip. On my first visit I took off from Ballinskelligs, must have... more travel advice

Go there - not just virtually! Favorites (1)

The information centre is ok, but it's nothing like the real thing. And the boat from the centre only takes you around... more travel advice

Comments (10)

globetrott Feb 3, 2006 at 1:21 PM Report Abuse

The Great Skelligs are my favorite islands in Ireland !
EllenH Dec 11, 2005 at 4:26 PM Report Abuse

I came to your pages because I liked the way you responded in a forum from A LONG time ago.
Folbi Apr 2, 2005 at 12:37 PM Report Abuse

Thanks for the tip about the puffins. Sabsi photos of them are great
ettenaj Jan 17, 2004 at 7:13 AM Report Abuse

Again some great photo's look forward to seeing more
SarahEire Jan 7, 2004 at 11:17 AM Report Abuse

Nice Pics
micas_pt Oct 4, 2003 at 2:50 PM Report Abuse

Looks like you had a great time in Ireland. Lucky you!!
CandS Aug 8, 2003 at 4:11 PM Report Abuse

Wow!!!! What a gorgeous first photo...that place looks amazing!!! I'd love to see more!! Nice page so far though...
sabsi Aug 7, 2003 at 12:50 PM Report Abuse

Can't wait for more!!!! Will i see you in maastricht????
HORSCHECK Jul 17, 2003 at 12:25 PM Report Abuse

Again some gorgeous photos here. Keep me informed about updates .. :-)
Kodi01 Apr 30, 2003 at 6:18 AM Report Abuse

Wow! Your words and picture make me want to see this place. Great page! :o)