Skellig Michael

The Next Chapter · Veteran Member

Skellig Michael

wojazz3 · Guru

Hi Jeanne:

I haven't yet made the trip, but will be there in late May. The climb is pretty strenous and the boat ride can be very rough. It might not be a good idea for someone with bad knees.

Bill

Michele Erdvig · Host

Jeanne,

I would agree with Bill on Skellig Michael. You must be physically fit to do the climb. However, there are boat tours from the Skellig Center on Valentia Island that go out to the islands, circle them and return. They do not land and allow you to go up to the top but it might be a compromise that will fit your plans. http://www.skelligexperience.com/sea_cruise.html

Michele

mcval · Veteran Member

Jeanne,

We went on the Skellig cruise in June that just goes around the islands. The steps on Skellig Michael look very steep and many, I wouldn't want to try them and I've got fairly good knees. It starts earlier in the day. I believe the boat for landing on the island left around 10am that day. The cruise itself was very nice. The driver of the boat stopped here and there so we could hear him talk about the history behind the islands. Little Skellig literally stinks. Totally overrun with birds... but that's part of how the monks made their living and what they ate. The visitors centre is very attractive as well. With a nice museum, gift shop, cafeteria & small movie about the islands.

The cruise started around 2pm and lasted about 1.5 - 2 hours. It's at least 30 minutes out to the first island. Benches on each side of the boat. Wind whipping about. Very refreshing (bring a scarf) and the view of the cliffs on the way out were beautiful. Seagulls passed us carrying seaweed out to the islands. One word of advice... DON'T stand up on the boat even when he stops it... unless you're climbing off of course. You won't get your sea legs out there. AND make sure your camera has enough batteries and film to make it back. We took loads of pictures. My digital camera battery ran out by the time we got to Little Skellig, so I used my kids cameras. They only had 1 roll of film apiece on them. WOW. Beautiful Kodak moments out there. One of my daughters pics got her a blue ribbon at our 4H county fair last summer. Gorgeous!

Val