The Skelligs

For many of our guests, a trip to the Skelligs is the unexpected highlight of their trip to Kerry. Some guests come to Iskeroon specifically to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, others go on our recommendation, never having heard of the Skellig Islands.  Either way, they come back astounded.

                The islands can be seen from the Mass Path at the bottom of the garden

                                             on the horizon (to the right of the picture)

Skellig Michael and the Little Skellig are two islands which rise sheer out of the Atlantic, five miles off the Kerry coast. Six hundred feet above the sea are the remains of an expertly restored 6th century monastic settlement, complete with beehive huts, oratory and terraced garden.

If you like the sea and the weather is good, then we strongly recommend you go. A boat leaves Bunavalla Pier, five minutes walk from Iskeroon, and takes an hour and a half to get to the islands. Alternatively, you can drive to Port Magee near Valentia and take a shorter boat ride.

The white appearance of Little Skellig is due to the fact that it is the second largest of the world's 23 gannet colonies. Depending on the time of year, you can see puffins, razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, seals, dolphins, maybe even a basking shark.

Watch a Video Clip of the Skelligs (7.5 MB)