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Scenes from Ireland’s Skellig Islands
On my hike around the Kerry Way in western Ireland a few years ago I took a day off to visit the Skellig Islands – a UNESCO world heritage site.
The Skellig Islands were the highlight of my three week trip.
Leaving the town of Portmagee
These waves are the baby ones; it only got worse
The Skellig Islands are two steep and rocky islands lying about 16 kilometres off the coast of the Iveragh Peninsula in western Ireland. They are accessed by boat from either Portmagee or Caherdaniel. It can be a scary boat ride out and the toughest part of the trip – at least in my opinion.
The smaller of the islands is home to 28,000 breeding pairs of gannets. These birds have a wingspan of six feet so the sheer mass of birds is mind boggling. They have the good sense to leave for Africa sometime in October and return again in the spring.
Little Skellig Island literally covered with gannets
The other side of Little Skellig Island
The larger island goes by the name of Skellig Michael. It was originally settled in 490AD by Christian monks. The monks endured at least four Viking raids but remained on the island for about 500 years. The island was abandoned in the twelfth century when the monks headed to the Augustinian monastery on the mainland. Two lighthouses were established beginning in 1820 but apart from the lighthouse keepers there has been little human traffic so the site is in excellent shape.
The island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Note the path on the far left
Looking way down
One of the many puffins on Skellig Island
Looking over to Little Skellig Island
You need a head for heights – or follow the lead of the guy who went down on his bum
A visit to Skellig Michael requires a head for heights and the ability to climb 600 stairs. The beehive huts that are part of the monastery are built at the top of the stairs. The island consists of nothing but cliffs. There are no handrails so people with a fear of heights can be seen coming down the stairs on their butts. There are a few small flat sections so one can bring a lunch and enjoy the view. Puffins nest on the steep hillside so you can also enjoy watching theircomings and goings too.
One of the beehive huts the monks lived in near the top
Crosses near the top of Skellig Michael
Back to the safety of the town of Portmagee
Here is this week’s submission to Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox a website where Nanci offers a chance every Thursday for fellow travelers to post their favourite photos.
Have you been to the Skellig Islands? How would you fare climbing the steep stairs?
Leigh McAdam
Vote for my article on WorldTravelist.com, sharing the best travel content on the web.
About Hike Bike TravelAvid world traveler. Craves adventure - & the odd wildly epic day. Gardener. Reader. Wine lover. Next big project - a book on 100 Canadian outdoor adventures.
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91 Responses to Scenes from Ireland’s Skellig Islands
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About
I’ve been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I’ve always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it’s only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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leighmcadamtravels at gmail dot com
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Great article and photos, I love your site
@Muza-chan Thanks for your kind words.
Yet another great spot I knew nothing about.
You’re managing to move Ireland and its environs higher up my list.
@Bob I knew nothing about it until I booked a B&B on my Kerry Way hike and the lady at the B&B asked if I wanted an extra day so I could visit the islands. So glad she suggested a visit.
Marvellous! I’d love to go to Ireland as a friend of mine has just came back and was so excited and impressed by his journey! he also told me that Irish people are quite shy ay the beginning but once you get in touch a bit closer thy become really cheerful and kind! What’s your experience about?
@Robert I think that’s a good description. Aloof at first and slower to warm – but overwhelmingly kind and cheerful.
Nice crisp shots of Ireland. These could sell Ireland to me. Perhaps.
@Michael I sense a touch of reticence about traveling to Ireland. You must go once if only for a long weekend. And in three weeks it didn’t rain half as much as I though it would – but the wind can blow in that country.
Beautiful photos, Leigh. Skellig sounds so romantic, too. (Have you ever read the book Skellig by David Almond, by the way? A children’s book, really, but so lovely.)
@Sophie Never heard of the book and agree about the romanticism of the place. But then reality would rear it’s ugly head and you’d be buffeted by wind and soaked to the bone.
Wow, you’ve sold me on the Skellig Islands! So beautiful and I would love to see those puffins.
@Debbie I’m in love with the puffins too!
The Skellig Islands look amazing but I’m not sure that I could handle the boat trip over. Rough seas freak me out a bit. I had no idea that there were puffins in Ireland – we are going to Newfoundland this summer and I’m hoping to see some there.
@Lisa If you were ever in the area you would have to pray for calm seas – or take one the bigger boats which makes the trip a whole lot easier.
I never imagined there were so many beautiful places in Ireland. Thanks for sharing, since if I went there I’d probably be sliding down the hill on my bum like the other fellow and miss the sights
Cute puffin photo!
@Andi Nothing like a little shaky leg syndrome to get you on your butt and feeling back in control on the descent. I guarantee that you couldn’t miss the sights.
Wow!! The puffin looks unreal: super cute and the colors of the beak are just too fun. And that picture from all the way up? Lokos really kind of steep and scary. What a place!
@Sabrina Just imagine living there 1400 years ago with a cow for milk and nothing but wet cold beehive huts to live in. Brutal.
I didn’t realize there are puffins in Ireland! I finally got to see them up close and personal last summer in Maine. They’re great birds. Beautiful photos in your blog, as always.
@Rachel It seems everyone loves puffins. I couldn’t get over what awkward flyers they were.
What a thrilling hike! When it comes to heights, I have moments when I can get a little panicky, but I’d still love to do that hike. I’d reward myself afterward with a pint of Guinness at a pub in Portmagee.
@Cathy It was easier than it looks and although I didn’t have a pint I did have a glass of wine at the end of this marvelous day.
An island with ancient ruins AND puffins – how wonderful! Love the photos, all of them really.
Thanks Natasha.
Gorgeous pics!!!
Thanks Diana.
Puffins in Ireland. Who would have guessed. I’m not sure I could tackle those steps but I would sure love to give it a try!
@walkingontravels Everyone seems very surprised about puffins in Ireland. I guess the Irish Tourism Board needs to take advantage of people’s love of puffins.
What a beautiful island and with your gorgeous picture, I need to add this to my list. Love the puffin picture! We’re stopping by Iceland in June and can’t wait to see them. Those stairs with no rails look scary and I’m not afraid of heights. Yikes! I don’t blame them for coming down on their butts.
@Mary Aren’t you lucky heading to Iceland. That’s my plan for two weeks next summer. The stairs certainly put some people off but most people that went to the islands were fine.
Such fabulous pictures of an amazing place. I just can’t help but think that 28,000 pairs of birds must make a terrific mess.
@Jessica Those rocks were COVERED in bird poop. I’m sure if we had been able to get closer the smell would have been something.
Aren’t large seabirds amazing? I’ve seen Puffins in Washington State and Alaska, Blue-Footed Boobies in Hawaii.
@Dick I love watching the seabirds – though didn’t know the boobies were in Hawaii.
Such gorgeous shots. Isn’t Skelling where it is hard to get from the boat to the island if the sea’s a bit rough? As for the stairs, I went down the stairs from the top of Angkor Wat bumpety bump like Winnie the Pooh, so I’m sure I’d be one of those scardey cats on the Skellings. (And Michael–there’s great hiking on Ireland!)
@Vera Boats are only able to run 100 days of the year – between wind and waves so I totally lucked out.You would have been in good company as I have a photo of a guy going bumpety bump and I don’t think he cared one iota what anyone thought.
Gorgeous, Leigh! Every time I see photos of parts of Ireland, I wonder how I haven’t reached there yet. It’s such a beautiful place and very lush.
@InsideJourneys Green and beautiful – at least when the sun is shining.
That’s definitely a spectacle to focus my DLSR on. I’m sure I would be snapping thousands of shot to take my best capture for that rare views.
I’ve never heard of the Skellig Islands, but this looks like my kind of place. I did a volunteer sailing trip around the Outer Hebrides a few years ago and the landscape looks similar. Loved all the gannets and the puffins. Adorable puffin photo.
@Laurel I bet you saw some big waves on your trip. That’s wild country too. Thanks re the puffin photo.
Beautiful photos, as usual. I haven’t been to Ireland but am always amazed when seeing photos of it because it seems like there’s no end to its beauty. I love the old crosses in your photo. I don’t know what gannets are, so I’m off to google them
@Jenna Ireland is full of surprises and indeed beautiful in a rugged way. Also love going to the Aran Islands.
GORGEOUS!! I loved Ireland and want to go back the more I look at your pictures!
Have a super weekend!!
@Becca Thank you.
This island is so beautiful! Your shots are amazing and makes me want to make a trip to this island like right now. I can;t get over how spectacular the island looks.
@Alexa It’s an island that can only be described in superlative terms.
All those stairs…..was there a fitness test to become a monk? Or was there a lower, easier to get to section for those of us who want to get closer to the Lord from closer to the ground?
Absolutely beautiful place. A few waves seems like a small price to pay for a chance to explore.
@Steve You could join the cow; it lived 2/3 of the way up but then you’d be exposed to the elements. I think those monks were pretty hardcore.
I was hoping we’d make it to the island alive and I can’t tell you how happy I was to see the birds circling overhead as I knew I was close to land. Should you ever get the chance to go take the fast, bigger boat.
Wow- I had no idea this place existed and it is beautiful! Love the ruins and the bright contrast of the greens and blues/
@Jade If it wasn’t for the B&B lady who suggested allowing an extra day, I wouldn’t have known either.
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What a gorgeous spot! I’m afraid my vertigo would be my undoing here. I’d love the boat ride..iron stomach!
@Nancie It’s so beautiful you’d forget you even have vertigo.
Look at all that blue sky!! We just arrived in Dublin this afternoon and WHOA is the weather even worse than I anticipated. I really hope it clears so we can see some of this lovely green.
@Christy The good news is that the weather changes very quickly!
This is beautiful, I’ve really missed out on some very scenic and awesome parts of Ireland. Next time.
@Elise It’s a not to be missed destination for sure.
Wow, what a beautiful part of the world… I can’t wait to get there one day. I’ll have to remember NOT to have any beers before I try and tackle those stairs though.
Cheers Leigh.
@Mark Beers wouldn’t be good for the boat ride either.
You got beautiful photos! When we saw it there was a lovely shroud of fog obscuring the island.
The area is so gorgeous, though, and it was definitely one of our highlights as well.
@Christy That’s a total bummer that you missed the place in the sunshine – but happy for you that it still felt like a special trip.
Looks like an awesome place to visit! I love the dramatic scenery.
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Such a great looking places and beautiful oceans. Love the way you capture the picture it is very refreshing and thanks for sharing!
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@Ashleen And thank you for your lovely comment.
Love the puffin picture! It’s amazing that you were able to get that close to him/her to get such a wonderful photograph.
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..THE PERUVIAN AMAZON- Day 6 Photo Gallery
@Mary The puffins are terrible flyers and great fun to watch. They seem quite unperturbed by our presence.
Oh I love this!! How I want to go back to Ireland! Feels like home.
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@Candice Ireland and Newfoundland have a lot of similarities. I bet you’d love this trip.
I really love Ireland, hope to make it back there someday. Great photos too. That island looks a bit treacherous, but that’s what makes it so beautiful.
I don’t even now how it is possible, but Ireland just keeps surprising me over and over again with its beauty. Have not yet been to Skellig, but it seems a place I will really love one day.
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Wonderful sea!
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And scary at times – the sea that is.
Wow,these all are beautiful scenes of ireland.I missed these beautiful oceans,birds & mountains during my ireland trip because of bad weather.Thanks.
I was very lucky to have had mostly good weather in the 3 1/2 weeks I was in Ireland.
I haven’t been to Ireland in years; your images makes me want to return, nice post.
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@James And the Skelligs are so worth a visit!
Awesome!It’s the perfect place for spending and enjoying the time with the dear ones. For Nature Lovers like me, It’s like Heaven.
@It’s heaven – but a wild heaven!
What beautiful islands! Ireland’s castles and my own Irish heritage have always made me want to pay a visit to the country, these pics are definitely adding to that desire!
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@James If you make it as far as western Ireland I sure hope you allow a day for the Skellig Islands. They are sooooooo beautiful.
I love that your site always introduces me to new islands. I’m obsessed with visiting and learning about all the islands in the world. Maybe I’ll try to see this place after TBEX this year. Gorgeous photos, as always!
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@Christy I’d call the Skelligs a must visit destination if you go to Ireland.
oh really great. i dont know how where irelands islands. it looks like really great and lovelt. from now on i want to go there really
thans. you has got great blog . i will follow 
@Fizik Thanks for stopping by.
I have no doubt that it’s a beautiful island.And the article is so much interesting. For sometime i thought i am here.I have no words to say about photos.
What a place to enjoy lunch! Hope you did, looking at the beautiful views (and puffins). Beautiful photos, Leigh!
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No wonder it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s stunning. It’s also great that one can go exploring (the first person to arrive must have had a tough time climbing off the boat onto the island).
Ps. This puffin looks sweet.
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@Cez The Skellig Islands still rank as one of my all time favourite day trips – though I do appreciate the weather had something to do with that.
I have never been to Ireland – and would love to go there – so thanks for the visit. These ancient ruins on the cliff tops are amazing.
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@Jill Do add the Skelligs to your must visit list should you be lucky enough to get to Ireland.