Skellig Michael tours |Tours around Skelligs Rock, Trips to Skelligs Michael and Small Skelligs, History of the Skellig Islands,Birds of the Skelligs|Portmagee

The Skelligs Force Awakens – Go Wild Magazine

The Skelligs Force Awakens 

as featured in GO WILD MAGAZINE

Star Wars is set to tread where no monks have tread since the thirteenth Century

The Skellig Islands, two of Ireland’s most distinctive landmarks will be beamed on movie screens across the world, for what will surely be a windfall for the County Kerry region. As we go to print, filming is taking place for Episode VII: The Force Awakens which is expected to hit movie screens on the 18th of December 2015. Little Skellig and Skellig Michael attract thousands of visitors every year and remain one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland.

Jutting out of the rough Atlantic waves 12 kilometres from shore, Skellig Michael, the larger of the two, contains the ruins of an early Christian monastery, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is thought that it was founded some time in the 8th Century and was inhabited by monks until the 12th or 13th century. With over 600 steep steps, once you reach the top of the site, you can look around the stone beehive huts and the well-preserved ruins of the monastery.

It is the beauty of the site that is said to have attracted Lucasfilm to the site in 2014, where they shot for three days as part of the seventh instalment in the mammoth saga. It met with some resistance from conservation officers and bird watch groups who criticised the crew for filming during the nesting season for birds on the island.

The Skelligs are home to over 60,000 gannets, as well as a variety of other sea birds and Skellig Michael is the natural habitat for the puffin, manx shearwater and petrel birds. Strict environmental and ecological conditions were put in place to ensure there is no negative impact on the monastic island and its birdlife.

The monastic site is thought to feature as Luke Skywalker’s refuge in the movie and leaked footage online supposedly showed the hooded Jedi Knight,
portrayed by actor Mark Hamill, crossing the island’s rocky terrain and entering a dark cave.

Visitors can take a boat trip to the Skelligs and sail around the two islands. For those wanting to tread in the footsteps of the monks of St. Fionan’s monastery, who lived in the stone, beehive shaped huts, you can catch a boat to the island, climb the steps and imagine how the monks would descend
the steps early every morning and fish for the morning’s breakfast. The island is a place of pilgrimage since the monks left the island in the thirteenth century. Today it houses nothing but birds.

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Attractions in Ireland | Portmagee

skellig michael tours boat tour around skellig michael

Attractions in Ireland | Portmagee

Attractions in Ireland aren’t just the beautiful scenery of the land forms and ancient building or the rolling green hills, but the amazing stories is almost in every town, village and county.

Ireland is a destination renowned all over the World for its beauty. Ireland and in particular South Kerry is a must visit destination for everyone  at least once in their lifetimes.

It is then no wonder that in 2011 readers of Frommers Guide (among most trusted names in travel) voted Ireland as their favorite holiday destination in the world.

In today’s post I am going to speak about the Portmagee, the fantastic tourism town in South Kerry which received the accolade as the National Tourism Town in 2012.

Ireland Attractions

Before I get into Portmagee, let me give you a flavor of attractions in Ireland that you must consider paying a visit now or soon;

  • Unique Islands E.g. Skellig Islands & Aran Islands
  • World Renowned Castles e.g. Blarney Castle in County Cork
  • History and Culture e.g. amazing history of Skellig Michael Monks,
  • Festivals E.g. Cahersiveen Festival of Music & Arts in August
  • Stunning Cliffs E.g. Kerry Cliffs, Cliffs of Moher
  • Awe-Inspiring Driving Routes E.g. Skellig Ring, the Ring of Kerry, Wild Atlantic Way
  • Fascinating Artefacts e.g. Bru Na Boinne Tombs of Country Meath which are said to be older than England’s Stonehenge and Egypt’s legendary pyramids.
  • Adventure tourism e.g. paragliding, Surfing, Sea Kayaking, Caving, Camping, Mountain biking, Rock climbing, as well as a fantastic experience of hiking along Ireland’s evergreen hills and cliffs

Having mentioned the few above, it’s really hard to get around all these attractions in Ireland within a single post guys as there are so many and each of them has its uniqueness. You can also explore more on the attractions here .

The history of Portmagee,

Hosting many attractions in Ireland, this beautiful village is reach in History. Portmagee is derived from Port of Magee! But who is this Magee? During 18th Century emerged a notorious man in the name of Theobald Magee who served in the famous King James Irish army.

After he retired from army services Captain Magee positioned himself in early mercantilism where he operated in the countries of France, Portugal and here Ireland.

Captain Magee accumulated a lot of capital by smuggling around South West Kerry’s coastline where the policies could not access easily. With loads of contraband spirits, textiles, tea and tobacco plundered by Captain Magee, he soon emerged as the most feared merchant of his time. The port became very lucrative to Theobald Magee.

 Portmagee Village

The village of Portmagee  is located on the Iveragh Peninsula, South of Valentia Island in County Kerry Ireland.

Portmagee is a crossing point to Valentia Island which also hosts loads of Attractions in Ireland.

The bridge from Portmagee to Valentia Island was built in 1970 and it was named in memory of young farmer Maurice O’Neil who was captured and executed in 1942 during second campaign against the Northern Ireland polity.

Places of Interest around Portmagee

Though small, the village hosts fantastic attractions in Ireland. Uniqueness of Portmagee prompted for it to be voted the top tourism town in Ireland in December 2012 hence becoming the first town in Ireland to be awarded the accoladeJ.

Let’s explore some of places of interest in Portmagee below;

So whenever you’re thinking of visiting Ireland make Portmagee your number one destination guys. You can also read more about places of interest around Portmagee in one of our posts here, feel free.

Explore Skellig Islands in Portmagee

With our dedicated trips to Skellig islands which many consider to me one of top attractions in Ireland, book your trip with Skellig Michael Cruises  now and we guarantee you a trip that will leave you awe-inspired.

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Destinations of Interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

Destinations of Interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

Destinations of Interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

I am delighted to welcome you to our website,where we have consistently put together informative posts for you to get updated on the uniqueness of the The Skellig Islands, tourism attractions in the fascinating South Kerry and Ireland the destination in general. Some weeks ago I wrote about the destinations of interest in Ireland where I put on two editions. Let us  quickly  revisit these posts;

Destinations of interest in Ireland Part I

In part one which you can as well read it here Destinations of interest in Ireland Part I   at in its lengthy I highlighted you the following destinations of interests;

Destinations of Interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

Destinations of interest in Ireland Part II

After highlighting the above four fantastic destinations, in this part two of destinations of interest in Ireland I further pointed up the following fascinating attractions;

  •  Killarney National Park
  •  Kerry Cliffs
  •  Kerry County Museum
  •  Kilmalkedar Church

Having seen about above destinations guys, in today’s post I won’t add  a new destination but rather I am going to share with yousome history of  St. Finnian acknowledged by many as the father of Irish Church and the first monk in the Skellig Michael Islands which are consider by many to be the top attraction in Ireland. Also guys if you missed history on the two majestic islands feel free to enjoy reading about them here at The Skellig Islands a history.

Introduction to Monks

Scholars define a monk as ‘’a member of religious community of men typically living under vows of poverty, chastity and obedience’’ The introduction of Christian era in Ireland cannot be discussed without the name of Saint Finnian. Born at Myshall, County Carlow towards the end of the 5th Century, Saint Finnian went on to become the father of Irish Monasticism.

Saint Finnian is known as the first ever monk to establish the settlement in Skellig Michael Island which is among top destinations of interest in Ireland.

 

Monastic journey by St Finnian

After saint Finnian was baptized by Saint Abban, he was placed under the care of bishop Fortchern of Trim. During this time (at the end of 5th century) Christianity was slowly being introduced in Ireland something made Finnian very curious and hungry to learning religious things.

This strong desire forced Finnian to cross the sea to Britain before going and settling in France for some time where he developed his strong experience in religious life.

St Finnian returns to Ireland

Being under St. Fortchern developed his monastic discipline and he later fled to Wales to perfect himself in holiness and monastic knowledge under the great Saints of Wales. Finnian was now a complete product and he returned to his home land after spending reportedly 30 years in Wales.

Saint Finnian  traveled from place to place teaching the words of God and he also founded churches during his preaching. It is understood that his first ever monastery was at Aghowle, County Wicklow. Saint Finnian went on to found Clonard Abbey in modern day County Meath. Further reports suggest that the twelve apostles of Ireland studied under Finnian.

St. Finnian establishes Skellig Michael Monastery.

Seeking for further closeness with God St. Finnian fled to Skellig Michael in 6th century where he established small stone huts and oratories. Presence of these huts and oratories to the moment I am writing you have made Skellig Michael among the top destinations of interests in Ireland.

Monks life in the top destination of interest in Ireland

As St. Finnian established the huts he was soon joined by few of his pupils and they later developed more huts noted six and two oratories in Skellig Michael which is the larger among two Skellig islands. Their lives depended on birds’ meats and eggs, fishes as well as the vegetables the monks grew on the island. With loads of tales on the monks’ lives on islands, I encourage you to join us visit Skellig Michael islands the top destinations of interest in Ireland.

Book Now

With more to tell on the destinations of interest in Ireland, in the next post I will write  for you in detail on the amazing life of monks on the Islands. I am also delighted to remind you that we here at Skellig Michael Cruises we do two trips every day from April to October to this top destination of interest in Ireland. Contact us now and we will plan you a trip of your life.

I hope you liked our post

 Destinations of Interest in Ireland 

Destinations of Interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

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Skellig Michael Islands History – Skellig Islands

Skellig Michael history

Skellig Michael Islands  history

Hello friends, thank you for visiting our site. Today I have the pleasure to share with you about Skellig Michael Islands, which are world renowned for their uniqueness and they are without doubt a top sightseeing destination in Ireland.

 Also guys I encourage you to browse around this website as we have lots of tips and information that will give you a reason to visit Ireland particularly County Kerry which  hosts uncountable tourism attractions.

Skellig Michael Islands

Standing impressively on the Atlantic Ocean, Skellig Michael Islands are located 11.6 kilometres west of Iveragh Peninsula in the tourist county of Kerry. The history of  these two islands in the name of Skellig Michael or Great Skellig and Small Skellig can be told basing on the following three remarkable eras in the Islands;

  • Pre-monastic,
  • Monastic,
  • Post Monastic.

First and foremost, the name Skellig derives its origin from “Sceillic” which is used by Irish to mean a steep rock. This gives you an idea of the islands. Skellig Michael which is the larger of these two islands stands majestically to the elevation of about 715 ft. Ok guys; let me take you through these three eras of Skellig Michael Islands so that you can enjoy the most of islands’ history.

 

Skellig Michael Islands Prior to Monks

It is believed that the islands were uninhabited before 8th Century. Old tales narrates that Ir who was the son of Mil Espaine was buried on the Great Skellig. Mil Espaine is the mythical ancestor of the final inhabitants of Ireland. This mythical ancestor with his wife Scota, his uncle Ith and their other relatives holds one of the amazing ancient history narrations you don’t have to miss guys. Just plan your Skellig Michael Islands tour with us to realize all those.

Skellig Michael Islands Monastery

The First Monk

It is claimed that the first monk on the Skellig Michael Islands was Saint Finnian of Clonard. Considered by by many as a father of Irish monasticism, Saint Finnian who it is also said almost all of the birds of Ireland gathered soon after his birth at the end of 5th Century as a sign of the holy life he would lead used much of his time preaching in Wales until he later returned to his homeland and found churches most noticeably at Great Skellig which is the larger among Skellig Michael Islands.

The life of Monks on Skellig Michael Islands

That is said to have opened the door to more monks to move to the Skellig Michael and it is said that until the late years of 8th century, the Islands hosted a good number of monks who lived by eating vegetables, grains, fish and meat & eggs of birds in the islands which are renowned as the hosts for Ireland’s largest Northern gannet colony with nearly 30,000 pairs. Having said so, it is then clear now that these monks preferred maintaining vegetable gardens to ensure their diet. 

Monks’ huts on Skellig Michael Islands

At the moment in the Skellig Michael Islands are six beehive shaped huts, two oratories and later medieval church that have been careful maintained to give us a true taste of the life of the monks who were constantly evaded by Vikings during 8th and 9th century. Though Vikings humiliated the monks and even drowned in the Atlantic Sea, some ancient narrations claims that monks ended up baptizing atleast a single Viking

Monks come to an end on Skellig Michael Islands

It is documented that the monastery remained occupied until the late 12th century and after the climate in Islands became even colder and more prone to storms along with other changes to the structure of Irish Church, the community abandoned the islands for any living purposes only to be used later for tourism.

Skellig Michael Islands after Monastery era

Skellig Michael Islands is said to be known to many from the beginning of 15th century. During this period monks were no longer available. In 1996 the Skellig Michael was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the islands have been acknowledged as the islands with exceptional universal values and unique example of an early religious settlement. Skellig Michael Islands are beautiful and unique islands that many have compared them to nowhere.

Plan your tour now

With Skellig Michael Cruises, I must remind you guys that South Kerry is the home to the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. With its spectacular mountains, beautiful lakes and Atlantic Ocean coastline, South Kerry stands among the most scenic areas on the planet do not wait any longer before planning your tour to these magnificent Islands.

Contact us now and we will get back to you promptly and plan you a memorable Skellig islands boat trip to Skellig Michael Islands.

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Sightseeing in Ireland

Sightseeing in Ireland

Sightseeing in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

Skellig Ring

Just off the Ring of Kerry is a 20 mile drive along Ireland’s coast called the Skellig Ring. The ring is beautiful, quiet, and scenic. Driving around this ring will give you a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of the top sightseeing in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

Valentia Island

Lying off the Iveragh Peninsula in the southwest cost of County Kerry, Valentia is joined to the mainland by bridge via the Portmagee Channel. You can access the Island via car ferry trip from Renard Point, Cahersiveen.

Valentia Island is without doubt a perfect island to go whenever you think of Sightseeing in Ireland, Expect to see the following:

Other sightseeing in Valentia includes;

  • St. Brendans well, Siopa cill riallaig, Saint John’s Church,
  • Walk the Boat Moorings, Trans-Atlantic Museum
  • Valentia Lighthouse, Tetrapod Footprints, Pet Farm (natural)
  • Valentia Candles, Saint Brendan’s Well, Bray Head Tower
  • Skellig Experience, Caerciveen festival of music &  the arts
  • Mug Ruith, Renard to Knightstown Car Ferry

All those make Valentia among top sightseeing in Ireland.

Ballinskelligs

Ballinskelligs located on the west coast of Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry and will offer you a fine coastal scenery with a beautiful sandy beach, as well as Pubs, Shops, Art Galleries (Siopa Cill Riallaig), Cafes, Bars and Restaurants.

With many reminders of the past, including an old monastery, a castle, stone alignments and ring forts, Ballinskelligs remain among the best sightseeing in Ireland.

Portmagee

The beautiful narrow road around Skellig Ring will take you to beautiful fishing village and the crossing point for boats to Valentia Island that was voted the top tourism town of Ireland in December 2012. The village will give you some of best sightseeing in Ireland with no doubt.

Kerry Cliffs

The cliffs are located on the coast of Atlantic Ocean along the beautiful Skellig ring. They are widely regarded the as the most spectacular cliffs in Kerry therefore Kerry Cliffs are a must on your “Sightseeing in Ireland”.

 

Skellig Islands

This is the most visited sightseeing location in Ireland guys, without exaggeration. The rocks cannot be surpassed by any other location in world such is its Mystic. The Skellig Islands are two steep sided lumps of rock rising majestically from the sea with the Great Skellig or Skellig Michael claiming UNESCO’s World Heritage Site acknowledgement.

With well preserved 6th century monasteries where Christian monks reportedly dwelt for approximately 600 years, the islands are simply a must when “sightseeing in Ireland”.

Wildlife on Skellig Island

The islands are inhabited by colonies of seabirds as well as Peregrine Falcons and Choughs. Small Skellig, closed to the public, is home to 27,000 pairs of Gannets, the second largest colony in the world.

Explore Skellig Michael islands with us

Having shown you the best sightseeing in Ireland, it is your time now to visit and explore the beauty of Skellig islands, the top attraction in the country. We here at Skellig Michael Cruises we can take you to the majestic Islands.I hope to see you soon with us, thank you.

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Skellig Michael Islands | Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael Islands | Skellig Michael Tours

Skellig Michael Islands | Skellig Michael Tours

The Skellig Islands are two small, steep rocky islands in Ireland Country Kerry lying about 13km West of Bolus Head on the Iveragh Peninsula. One of the islands is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and have been attracting visitors from all over the world who have enjoyed the uniqueness of these historic islands. These islands are famous for an early Christian monastery, gannets, and Atlantic Puffin populations.

Skellig Michael

As I have mentioned that they are two islands guys, the larger one is Great Skellig which is also known as Skellig Michael. The island has two peaks rising to over 230 metres above sea level. Great Skellig is famous for its Christian monks who occupied the island in the seventh century and they remained there until the thirteenth Century. The history of the monks in Skellig Michael Islands is absolutely amazing.

Smaller Skellig

The Small Skellig is about 1.5 km from eastnortheast of Great Skellig. The island is reputed for large colony of Northern Gannet which is just second largest colony in the world. The colony is Ireland’s largest. This makes Bird watching in Skellig Michael Islands a simple must.

Irish Monastery

Skellig Michael is the site of an old Irish monastery. It is one of the oldest sites from the ancient Christian world that can be seen today in its very original form. Before 6th Century when the Islands were founded, it is assumed that they have been solitary places.

From 7th Century monks fled to the Great Skellig where they established the site and started their life there up to the late years of 1200’s and it is strongly believed that the monks set the structures we see now on the Skellig Michael Islands.

It is truly astonishing as to how the monks adapted and survived to the Skellig Michael Islands’ wet, damp, and cold weather, though it is evident that the hermits built six beehive-shaped huts and two boat shaped oratories and used them for living and worshiping respectively.

Monks life in Skellig Michael

Monks history in the Skellig Michael Islands doesn’t end here, it is also believed that they planted gardens and they also kept sheep and goats not to mention birds and also caught fish and all these were used primarily for food. It is actually hard to comprehend why the monks decided to inhabit the Skellig Michael Islands the place the Irish used to consider the end of the world due to its remoteness and inhospitality but one thing might be true is that the monks chose the Skellig Michael Islands to be closer to God. Some myths also states the Monks chose the destination so that they could be closer to Satan so that they could defend for the rest of the worldJ.

Monks Invaded by Vikings

It is claimed that Vikings invaded Skellig Michael Islands several times. The intentions of the Vikings were to plunder all the treasures of church, taking monks as slaves and all kind of humiliation as some monks were even carried off with chains; others were stripped naked, insulted, casted out of doors while other monks were even drowned in the Atlantic Sea. It is also worth to note that after every attack, atleast one Viking was ended up been baptized by the monks.

Enjoy unique ruins in Skellig Michael Islands

A visit to this site is highly recommended guys. The monastic settlement in the islands is highly impressive, not only due to its isolated state but the unique building skills by monks who built some magnificent huts over 1,500 years ago. You can visit nowhere else in Ireland with Skellig Michael Islands uniqueness. Skellig Michael Islands is one of the most impressive sights I have ever seen and I just can’t recommend it enough, just contact us here at Skellig Michael Cruises and we will plan for you this fantastic experience.

Enjoy bird watching in Skellig Michael Islands

Hosting the largest gannet colony in Ireland and only second world-wide, Skellig Michael Islands is by far a best place for viewing birds. It is estimated that the islands hosts more than 27,000 pairs of birds. Birds’ eggs and birds themselves are believed to be the foods for the ancient islands Monks.

Welcome to Skellig Michael Islands | Skellig Michael Cruises

I hope you have enjoyed the amazing history of these magnificent islands. At Skellig Michael Cruises we do multiple trips to the islands every day. Contact Paul Devane now and we can plan your Skellig Michael Islands trip that will be of a lifetime experience. Thanks J

 

 

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Destinations of interest in Ireland Part II

Destinations of interest in Ireland Part II

Destinations of interest in Ireland Part II | Skellig Michael Cruises

Hello guys thank you guys for joining me once again in this second part of destinations of interest in Ireland. In the last post I took you through some of the attractions in Ireland and I hope the information I shared with you will be helpful in planning your holiday. I would also like to remind & inform you guys that Skellig Michael Cruises offer boat tours around the breathtaking Skellig Islands twice everyday from the small fishing village of Portmagee. Ok guys lets go on exploring the destinations of interests in Ireland.

Why visit Ireland

Attracting more than 6 million tourists annually, Ireland was voted favourite holiday destination in the world by readers of Frommer’s Guide, while lonely planet named Ireland the world’s friendliest country. Cork city was also listed among top ten cities in the world by lonely planet. Ireland is the great destination to enjoy;

  • Coastlines and resorts,
  • Festivals and events,
  • Geological tourism,
  • Amazing ancient histories,
  • Wildlife parks.

Places of interest

Once again be warned that I still can’t get around to all the attractions the emerald isle has to offer. In this post so today I will speak of the following four destinations of interest in Ireland;

Killarney National Park

Established as early as in 1932, this was the first national park in Ireland. Spanning about 25,400 acres, Killarney national park is famous for diverse ecology including Killarney Lake, oak lake, as well as yew woodlands not to mention the vast herd of red deer. 

Enjoy amazing ancient tales on Killarney

Killarney national park is also rich in ancient history. This has given this park a spot among destinations of interest in Ireland. The famous Irish poets of 17th and 18th centuries Seafraidh O’Donoghue, Aogan O Rathaille and Eoghan Rua O Suilleabhain were buried in this park. It is also narrated that during Norman invasion of Ireland the monks used to flee to Mangerton Mountain in this park when the monastery was attacked. With the spectacular Torc Waterfall, the park has a lot to offer and worthy of a visit.

Kerry cliffs

Kerry Cliffs are widely accepted as the most spectacular cliffs in Kerry. The cliffs stand over 1000ft above the wild Atlantic and were formed in a desert environment 400 million years ago.  Out to the west stand the amazing Skellig Rocks one of only three UNESCO world heritage sites in Ireland. Of course the Kerry Cliffs are the closest viewing point to the great rocks and also close the famous Puffin Island, where almost 10,000 Atlantic puffins reside.

Kerry County Museum

Established in 1991, Kerry County Museum is home to various archaeological objects, impressive dioramas, crafted models and loads of informative wall displays that narrate the ancient story of Kerry’s people and landscape that will leave you amazed; Expect to see the following listed but not the last;

  • Lissroe bronze horn that is over 3000 BC years old was found in bog in Lissroe near Duagh,
  • Cloghermore Collection showing collection of domestic items used by ancestors, who lived in Cloghermore Cave many years ago,
  • 1916 Proclamation is an original copy of the proclamation of republic issued by the Irish volunteers and Irish citizen army during the Easter rising.  

Kilmalkedar Church

Another place of interest in Ireland which is Located about 8km from Dingle, County Kerry. This spectacular early Christian centre has attracted visitors for years now. The ruins of this ancient church are spread across an area of about 10 acres. Visitors have consistently enjoyed examining the 12th century Hiberno-Romanesque church and several artefacts, large stone cross and loads of amazing story on the early church.

Welcome to explore destinations of interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

Thank you for reading this post guys, I will keep you updated on more destinations of interest in Ireland in the coming posts. Now you know about beautiful Ireland, wait no more guys, book your trip now and explore Skellig Islands for an experience of lifetime.

I hope to see you soon with us. Thank you.

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Destinations of Interest in Ireland | Skellig Michael Cruises

Destinations of Interest in Ireland

Destinations of Interest in Ireland 

For so many years now Ireland has being attracting visitors from all over the world and left them absolutely spell bounded. Ireland has an embarrassment of natural attractions that will match your specific holiday needs, not to mention the ancient history of some parts of Ireland that will leave you awe-inspired.

In this post I am going to tell you about destinations of interest in this Ireland. This will educate you holiday maker with information you require when planning your trip to Ireland.

Skellig Islands

Lying about 13 km West of Bolus Head on beautiful Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry, these are two small but very steep rocky islands that have attracted huge interest from travellers over the years. Great Skellig or Skellig Michael is the larger of these two islands and the smaller one is small Skelligs. Apart from enjoying these astonishing islands, you will also have unrivalled bird watching opportunity. The islands are famous for hosting a wide varity of birds for example; black legged kittiwake, common guillemot, northern gannet, and Northern fulmar just to name a few.

With the Great Skellig rising to over 200 metres above sea level, the two islands which have hosted films like star wars and force awakens are recognised as UNESCO world heritage site. With their impressive ancient history like the 7th century history on the Christian monastery on the islands, Skellig Michael has claimed a top spot among places of interests in Ireland. Skellig Michael Cruises can give you a cruise of lifetime.

Boyne Valley

The Boyne castle in County Meath is renowned as one of the historic sites and monuments in Ireland. This world heritage site is the largest as well as one of most important compound of megalithic sites in whole Europe. This site which is believed to be built before Egyptian pyramids is a complex of amazing Neolithic mounds, standing stones, henges and chamber tombs just to name a few is another place of interest in Ireland.

The Ring of Kerry

This 179 kilometres-long extraordinary tourist route in County Kerry will give you the real image of Ireland. Passing around ancient monuments, spectacular gardens, stunning scenery of villages and towns has made this popular route among places of interest in Ireland. Natural beauty of this land is unsurpassed guys as its flora and fauna, unspoiled beach and the general scenery of the environment around this driving route are just out of this worldJ.

Aran Islands

Located at the mouth of Galway bay, they are a group of three spectacular islands that are among top destinations of interests in Ireland. The islands’ beautiful limestone rocks are over 350 millions years old are dramatic and I telling you guys the islands are worth paying a visit to. The Islands’ locals have carefully preserved the ways of past and their desire is mainly making their living much the same with the way their ancestors did. The way the islanders live here has made the islands the place of interest in Ireland.

And many more Destinations of Interest in Ireland

As I told you earlier, Ireland is full of places of interest that I can’t get around to all in a single post. I encourage you to visit this site regularly for the next post and I promise to educate you with more informative pieces of information that will give you a wide knowledge on the places of interests around Ireland and eventually help you on deciding the Destinations of Interest in Ireland for you  .

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Top attractions in Ireland

Top attractions in Ireland

Top attractions in Ireland

Today I am going to speak about one of the top attractions in Ireland which is Skellig Michael. There is no denying that  Skellig Michael is the main attraction on the Ring of Kerry and now the newly developed  Wild Atlantic Way. Skellig Michael has been attracting visitors for years and leaving them inspired in awe and spellbound this of course are just some of the reasons that Skellig Michael is one of the Top Places of Interest & attractions in Ireland.

Skellig Michael, the rock.

Skellig Michael is a UNESCO  world heritage site one of only three in Ireland. Skellig Michael won this accolade in 1996. This what UNESCO had to say about the Skelligs “The Committee decided to inscribe the nominated property on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (iv) considering that the site is of outstanding universal value being an exceptional, and in many respects unique example of an early religious settlement deliberately sited on a pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of a remarkable environment. It illustrates, as no other site can, the extremes of a Christian monasticism characterizing much of North Africa, the Near East and Europe.”

Attractions in Ireland on the verge of Europe

The rock is situated about 12 kilometers of the Kerry Coast and from April to September we run cruise to the rock and around and it never fails to impress. Skellig Michael stands reaching heights of more than 200 meters out of the wild Atlantic and there at its shoulder is the little brother called small skelligs. Skellig Michael of course is one of the most mystical places on this earth and the home to  an monastic settlement which is the source of the rocks mystic. The Monastic Settlement dates back to the 6th century; however, one can find legendary accounts of Skellig Michael which date to pagan times, back in 1400 BC. “Skellig Michael was the home to the monks of St Fionan. These monks led very simple lives out here in the wild Atlantic, living in stone beehive shaped huts. Although the huts were round-shaped on the outside, they were rectangular on the inside. They were carefully built to prevent a single drop of rain from penetrating their interior” more history here on Top attractions in Ireland.

Allied to this of course the small Skelligs is no less impressive and is the home to the second largest Gannet Colony in the world with over 27000 pairs on the rock.

Our boat cruise to one of Ireland’s Top attractions

We offer a boat cruise around the rocks which takes approximately 2.5 hours to these wonderful rocks standing proud in the Atlantic. We leave 3 times daily from the marina in Portmagee 10.30 am 1.30pm  4.30 pm  you can book your cruise here on Skellig Michael tours.

Skellig Michael Cruises

Please feel free to browse around our site as we have loads of posts and videos on on of the ” Top attractions in Ireland”. Of guys with the last two years the Island s have been closed during the season to accommodate shooting for the Star Wars movies “Return of the Jedi: Star Wars Episode VIII” This has further the intrigue and curiosity of the Skelligs which all bodes well for the future of Skellig Michael as one of the Top Attractions in Ireland

 

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Portmagee | Skellig Michael Cruises

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Portmagee

No one can deny the beauty of Portmagee: However it is not just the beauty that draw thousands of tourist each year to the village. It is the people, the food, the character and of course the Skellig Rocks.  Portmagee was recognised in 2012 when it was named the top tourism town in Ireland. This accolade gives you an insight to this wonderful fishing village in the south west.

Portmagee & Captain Theobald Magee

Let me start with a name itself; so guys the name Portmagee derives from Captain Theobald Magee. A notorious 18th Century smuggler who concentrated shipping textiles, tea and tobacco illegally hence emerging as most profitable smuggler of his era.

Portmagee eat and drink

Portmagee has wonderful cafes and it has two great Pubs. The Fishermans Bar and the Bridge Bar both have music nightly and serve wonderful food. Also here in Portmagee we have an award winner restaurant in the shape of the Moorings. So here you see you will not be left wanting in the wonderful Portmagee.

Things to do in Portmagee

Your visit to Portmagee will be complete when you will also experience the beauty and uniqueness of the following;

Skellig Islands

Portmagee is the gate way to the Skellig  Rocks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, your Portmagee experience will  not be complete if you do not make the voyage to the inspiring Skellig Islands. Skellig Michael Cruises depart Portmagee twice daily with our two beautiful boats the Marber Therese and the Anchorciveen and allow you to see these amazing rocks from a unique perspective as we go around both Rocks.

Illaunloughan

Portmagee has one of the most interesting archaeological sites which is called Illaunloughan/St. Loughan’s Island. It is said that the island was inhabited by monks in Early Christian times. These monks stayed on the edge of the Atlantic.

It is also understood that the monks who lived in stone huts, perched above nearly vertical cliff walls, have been in existence from the end of the 7th century to the 9th.There are loads of interesting stories on these monks, just come see!!

Skellig Experience Center

The Skellig Experience is just a short stroll over the bridge from the village. It is here in the centre that you can experience the recreation of what life was like for the monks of Skellig Michael in the early Christian period. The Centre has an 80 seat auditorium where they show a short film, which gives you the opportunity to trace the steps of the monks and be inspired and in awe of the legacy and architecture they left behind. Also the Center has a restaurant for you to enjoy the great food and the wonderful view of Portmagee while you eat.

Kerry Cliffs.

Once you are in Portmagee you quite simply have to go and see Kerry Cliffs.These cliffs posses some of the best view that would rival any cliffs in Ireland. Kerry Cliffs has developed a walk way to the Cliffs where you and your family can enjoy the views of the wild Atlantic, Skellig Islands and the Puffin Island in a safe and relaxing way.

Valentia Island and Tetrapod

Just over the Bridge is the beautiful Valentia Island where it is famous for many things but today I just want to bring your attention to the Tetrapod.

The Tetrapod tracks were discovered in 1993 on the north east of Valentia Island. These tetrapod tracks evidenced that there was a creature with almost human being footprints resemblance dwelling the place in about 350-370 million years ago. The track way has become of international importance since it has provided the most old evidence of one of the first water dwelling creatures which are believed to crawled out of the water and start adopting land dwelling evolutionarily.

Where to stay??

Portmagee has no shortage of great accommodation, though I would recommend you to use Carraig Liath House, they were just awarded 2014 Certificate of excellence for their best food & beverage services. Carraig Liath House is only short leisure walk to the walking village Portmagee.

Welcome to Portmagee

Skellig Michael Cruises would like to welcome you to this picturesque village and hope that you enjoy your stay and feel free to book your trip with us here Click on Skellig Michael Tours.

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