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Portmagee | Skellig Michael Cruises

skellig michael tours portmagee skellig michael cruises

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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Portmagee | Things to do

skellig michael tours portmagee skellig michael cruises

skellig michael tours portmagee skellig michael cruises 

Portmagee | Things to do

Portmagee has many things to do for you the holiday maker.  Today here a Skellig Michael Cruises we are going to outline a few but keep in mind there is much more in Portmagee than outlined below. To under pin  Portmagee’s prowess within the tourism industry in Ireland. In 2012  the village  was awarded the top tourist town in Ireland.

Skellig Michael Cruises

There is no denying that Portmagee is the gateway to  Skellig Michael. We here at Skellig Michael Cruises offer you the opportunity to visit the great rocks out in the wild Atlantic.

We give you the people who are unable to climb Skellig Michael for whaever reason. The Skellig Michael Tours we operate last approximately 2.5 hours and we go to the Skellig Islands 3 times daily. Please visit our home page at Skellig Michael cruises here.

Skellig Experience Center

The Skellig Experience is just a 5 minute walk over the bridge from Portmagee. 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.

The centre also showcases the underwater life at the Skelligs, and also the life and times of the light keepers on the Skellig rock. Click here to view the Skellig Experience Centre.

Tetrapod

Located  less that 4 miles from Portmagee in the island of Valentia you have the Tetapod prints. These prints are thought to date back to Devonian times, it is estimated to be anywhere between 350-370 million years ago. The site in Valentia is of international importance as it represents the transition from life in the water to the land. This is a defining moment in evolution and provides the oldest reliable evidence of a four legged vertebrate moving over land.

Cil Rialaig

Now a short drive from Portmagee in the other direction from Valentia you will descend on Cil Rialaig. The Cil Rialaig projected was established in 1991 to restore a small pre famine village on Bolus Head. This location then became a retreat for artists, which has attracted over 2,500 artists from all over the world.

The Cil Rialaig Arts Centre is located in the village of Dungeagan where you can view and appreciate the works of the artists that had the privilege to reside in the remote Artist retreat at Bolus head.

Portmagee |Things to do

Today we only scratched the surface on what Portmagee has to offer you, there is much more to do Golf,Fishing ,Sailing,Diving and Walking to mention a few activities. Now that you know all about Portmagee , why not book your tour with us to Skellig Michael here.

Paul Devane

 

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About us

Skellig Michael Cruises of Portmagee

Welcome to our site, Skellig Michael Cruises.com. We are the Devane Family from beautiful fishing village of Portmagee. Portmagee of course is the gate way to one of the natural wonders of the world; that is Skellig Michael.

Our mission…

…is to allow you, the person that cannot climb Skellig Michael, the opportunity to get up close and personal with this UNESCO World heritage site.

Our Vision…

…to have numerous luxury boats offering you this unique service.

Skellig Michael Cruises

Skellig Michael cruises was launched on the 23/7/2013. This initiative was our brain child as we could clearly see a gap in the market for people who were unable climb to the rock.  I and my wife Mary decided that if we were ever in the position to provide the service, we would. So here we are, after our first season, which has been a tremendous success.

Our boat

The Marber Therese II is a new charter boat built to the highest standards for carrying passengers around Skellig Michael. This newly built Cygnis Cyfish 39 has a full Irish P5 licence.

The boat has been named after my father’s trawler “The Marber Therese” and was built and launched in Dingle in 1981. It remained in full operation until 2009.

My father and grandfather have had a fishing trawler operating from Portmagee Pier since the 1950’s. My father fished his trawler “Marber Therese” up until a week before he passed away suddenly in 2009.

Come and join us

Now that you have met us, feel free to look through our site and enjoy the wondrous Skellig Michael. After this, I know you will want to take a cruise with us and I promise you it will not disappoint you; instead it will be an experience that you will hold dearly for the remainder of your life.

Paul Devane

 

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Our Boat

Boat of Skellig Michael Cruises

The Marber Therese II is a new charter boat built to the highest standards for carrying passengers around Skellig Michael. This newly built Cygnis Cyfish 39 has a full Irish P5 licence; since the beginning of July this year (2013) we have been providing this unique service to carry passengers around Skellig Michael.

Our cruise

Our cruise here on the Marber Therese II allows you, the people who are unable to climb the great rock, a unique opportunity to get to see this wonder of  the world first hand. Many people who come to Portmagee are unable to climb Skellig Michael for a variety of reasons; young families, age, disability or time constraints etc. This is where we come in! Our cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours and you get to see this UNESCO World heritage site from a unique perspective.

The Launch of Skellig Michael Cruises

The official launch of luxury tour boat Marber Therese II took place on Portmagee Pier on Saturday July 27th 2013 at 6p.m. Speakers on the night included Chairman of Portmagee development group John Murphy,  Councillor P.J. Donovan followed by a blessing of the boat by Fr. David Gunn. Councillor Michael Healy Rae also spoke on the night showing his support for this initiative.

Skellig Michael Cruises owner

My name is Paul Devane and I am a native of Portmagee, steeped in tradition and experience of the wild Atlantic. I spent two full years fishing on father’s trawler and numerous summers. Around this time, I noticed many people were not able to climb the skelligs for many and different reasons; therefore, I made a promise to myself. If I was in a position to help these people  who could not climb this majestic rock, I would.  Two years ago myself and my mother decided to sell the fishing licence off our trawler and put  the money towards building a new boat to bring passengers around Skellig Michael. So here we are today with the Marber Therese II.

The Marber Therese II

The boat has been named after my father’s trawler “The Marber Therese” and was built and launched in Dingle in 1981. It remained in full operation until 2009.

My father and grandfather have had a fishing trawler operating from Portmagee Pier since the 1950’s. My father fished his trawler “Marber Therese” up until a week before he passed away suddenly in 2009.

We look forward to seeing you soon

We are very excited about offering you this unique opportunity to see one of the  natural wonders of the world and we look forward to providing you the experience of a lifetime.

Paul Devane

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