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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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Skellig Islands | Skellig Michael Cruises

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Skellig Islands | Skellig Michael tours

Skellig Islands What are they? There are two enormous rocks in the Atlantic Ocean, 11.6 km west of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. One is known as Skellig Michael and the other known as the Small Skelligs. Let me discuss the Small Skelligs first.

Skellig Islands, the Birds

Skellig Islands are famous for its sea birds; more specifically the Small Skellig is the World’s second largest Gannet Colony with almost 27,000 pairs. It has a great variety of other seabirds, including 4,000 Puffins on the great Skelligs alone, European Storm Petrels, Manx Shearwaters, Black-legged Kittiwakes, Common Guillemots and Razorbills  just to name a few. So here you see the Small Skelligs really is a twitchers paradise. So do not hesitate to book your Skellig Michael tour with us. Now let me highlight Skellig Michael.

Skelligs Michael, the World Heritage site

The Skelligs Michael World Heritage site declared by UNESCO since 1996 as a site of tremendous value and importance; The Island itself was a  6th Century Christian Monastery Perched at 160 metres above sea levels.

Skellig Islands attract Thousands and thousands tourists every year, some are visiting there for religious reasons others for historical and then some to take in this amazing natural landscape.

Skellig Islands, pilgrimage

Skellig Islands has been a place for pilgrimage, as it was the Home of Monks of St Fionan, where these Monks used to live in the stone beehive shaped huts, and rectangular shaped on the inside, build to prevent rain drops penetrating inside. It is believed that these Monks used to spend days in the Church, and the rest of the time in studying and tending their gardens. Though these Monks vacated the island in 13th century, the archaeological studies reveal that the rock was a home for 12 Monks.  For more information click here:

The Skellig Islands Divers paradise

The Skellig Islands also offer many interesting recreational diving sites due to the clear water, an abundance of life, and underwater cliffs down to 60 meters.

Hence there is something for everyone on the Skellig Islands.

Skellig Islands| Skellig Michael tours

So no you have gained a little more information about the skellig islands you are wondering about our Skellig Michael tours. Our tour goes around both Islands and allows you to get up close and personal with these amazing Islands. We here at Skellig Michael Cruises go out 2 times daily with our two luxury boats. The Marber Therese 11 and the Anchorciveen; we depart at 10.30 and 1.30 daily from the marina at portmagee. Please visit our booking page to book “ Skellig Michael Tours”

Paul Devane

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Boat tour around Skellig Michael | Skellig Michael Cruises

skellig michael tours boat tour around skellig michael

Boat tour around Skellig Michael

Two days ago I went out for the first time to Skellig Michael with Skellig Michael Cruises. The day itself, weather wise was spectacular. The village of Portmagee was drenched with warm May sunshine as I arrived. I met Brendan Devane our captain, who was in great spirits chatting to the passengers: I started talking to a few fellow voyagers myself, a couple from the UK and Michael from the US. The main topic of the conversations were that these holiday makers could not believe the natural beauty of Southkerry and Portmagee itself. But Iittle did they know that things were about to even get better.

So Brendan took the helm of the Marber therese II, who was ready to take us out to the great rocks. We all went quite together contemplating what the voyage had in store. So our boat tour around Skellig Michael had started.

The colourful village of Portmagee started to shrink as we made our way out of the harbour. The first point we passed of real historical importantance was at Foilhommerum the site of the first transatlantic communication between Europe and the US. As Brendan announced these fact people soon began to speak and start taking pictures left right and center. Everybody was  busy taking images of the most memorable and enjoyable trip I was ever on.

Marber Therese

Now we had moved beyond the land and in the open Alantic as the Marber Therese II gliding over the sea. We could see Bray tower behind us on island of Valentia. Also to our right we could see the cliffs and the site of Kerry cliffs which looked just as impressive from this angle. Brendan our captain was informing us that island to our left was the Puffin Island the home to almost 10,000 Atlantic puffins.

Skellig Islands Approach

Now there out in front were the two amazing rocks which were getting clearer and clearer with every passing wave. It was not before long that we were right up longside the small skelligs and you could hear the noise of the birds. This truly is a bird wathchers paradise. The breed that you could see everywhere on the rock over heads and in the water were gannets. This of course makes a whole lot of sense as Brendan informed us again that the small skelligs was the home to 27,000 pairs of gannets. This figure makes the small skelligs the second largest gannet colony in the world.  I must say here that many people speak of the beauty of skellig Michael but I must say the small skelligs is just as impressive to look at.

Skellig Michael inspires

Around the Corner we float over the most iconic place on the Wild Atlantic Way. This of course a UNESCO world heritage site: Once a monastic settlement dating back to the 6 or 7 century. My god, once you take a moment and drop the camera: Just soak it in with every fibre of your being what a place. Words  do not do this mystical site any justice, nor I am sorry to say the images I captured. This is why you just have to take a boat tour around Skellig Michael

The beauty of going around is you see the Skellig Island from a completely different perspective. The rocks are continuously changing shapes and you see many different faces and characteristic to the islands that we never see in images. The fact is we mainly see the same one of two images of the skelligs all the time. However if you go around it, it truly has a life of its own.

Returning home on the boat tour

The Marber Therese started to head for home as we looked out the back we could see the islands starting to get a little smaller and now the Atlantic Ocean was still and beautiful blue reflecting a wonderful summers day. We drew closer to land with every ripple again we could see the Puffin Island standing proud and just behind were the defiant Kerry Cliffs. Of to the left standing watch was Bray tower. Now in a moment we were back in the harbour it felt like a dream we were left spell bound on a beautiful summer’s day on the Marber therse as she stole in to Portmagee.

Put a Boat tour to SKellig Michael on your Bucket list

This tour is a must Just watch the video above to see what I speak of. However i can assure you that this does not do justice to the most amazing experience we had at the skellig Island on that sun soaked May day

I hope you enjoyed my post on:

Boat tour around Skellig Michael

by Colm McGill

Colm McGill

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Boat Tours and Trips to Skellig Michael | Skellig Michael Cruises

Boat Tours and Trips to Skellig Michael

Boat Tours and Trips to Skellig Michael start this weekend. We here at Skellig Michael Cruises are excited with the prospect of this year’s season. First we are excited at the prospect of being able to take more people  to the great rock; as we have increased our fleet. We have purchased the “Anchorciveen” a beautiful vessel in order to increase our capacity such was the demand last year with our trip to go around the rocks.

Skellig Michael Tours

This year we will be going around Skellig Michael 3 times daily. We shall depart the pier at Portmagee at 10.30 13.30 and 1630. The tour shall take approximately 2.5 hours. We will operate this service  7 days a week. Also we offer weekend tours to the beautiful fishing village of Dingle. Allied with this service we offer a daily tour to dingle Friday to Sunday.

Coming to Portmagee

So if you are coming to Portmagee; this year for your vacation or if you are doing the world famous Ring of Kerry or the newly developed Wild Atlantic Way. Many people may not have heard of the Wild Atlantic yet so here is a brief description.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a newly developed route which goes from Donegal to west cork taking in the whole west coast of Ireland with the Atlantic Ocean to your shoulder. It is the longest touring route in the world and the most dramatic and spectacular.

What makes us different?

Skellig Michael Cruises does not land on the Rock as we could see many people who came to Portmagee each year were unable to experience this UNESCO world heritage site for different reasons. So decided that we would put on a regular service for you the people who come to Portmagee are unable to climb Skellig Michael for a variety of reasons; young families, age, disability or time constraints etc.

Book you Boat trips to Skellig Michael

So now you know what we offer here at Skellig Michael Cruises book you boat trip to the Skellig Michael with us today. Take time to look through our site and enjoy our videos and posts. We will be adding more videos over the course of the season to give you a clear picture ON  what to expect when you take a Skellig Michael tour with us.
Please do not hesitate to contact us and like and follow our social media platforms and to avoid disappointment book today here.

Paul Devane

 

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Portmagee | Things to do

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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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Skellig Michael tours|Portmagee

Portmagee and Skellig Michael tours

Portmagee is a beautiful fishing village located in south west Kerry just off the Ring of Kerry and the connection point to the island of Valentia. Access to Valentia Island is via a bridge. The bridge was built in 1970 and named in memory of a young farmer from Cahirciveen. He was  captured and judged by a military court before being executed in 1942. The young man was Maurice O’Neill; hence the name of the bridge the “Maurice O’Neill Memorial Bridge”. Portmagee is the gateway to Skellig Michael tours, which operate from April to October.It is the tours to Skellig Michael that bring thousands of visitors annually to the village of Portmagee.

Portmagee the name

The name of Portmagee is derived from a notorious smuggler from the 18th century Captain Theobald Magee. Magee was an officer in the army of King James. He then retired to become a merchant operating between France, Portugal and Ireland. The rugged coastline of south west Kerry was a perfect location to trade in contraband spirits, textiles and tea and tobacco was almost impossible to police and hence very lucrative.

Theobald married a Bridget Morgell, who was the widow of a rich Dingle merchant and also the daughter of the then representative for Dingle, Thomas Crosbie. There is some suspicion that Magee’s death in a Lisbon monastery was due to some exile imposed by the powerful MP. However, his wife and sons continued the family business of smuggling.

Portmagee top tourism town 2012

Portmagee was awarded the top tourism tour in Ireland in 2012. This highlights the standing of Portmagee within the hospitality and tourism industry. Portmagee has loads to do and see. Also Portmagee has restaurants cafes shops etc, but the jewel in its crown is Skellig Michael. Skellig Michael is a UNESCO world heritage site and you quite simply have to see it once you are in Portmagee.

Skellig Michael Tours

Portmagee in the mornings is a hive of activity with crowds of people and the small street full of cars as people are trying to get a boat to take them out to the Skelligs.

People shouting and callings names and as they are almost ready to depart and the low humming of the engines as they warm up for this fantastic tour that lies ahead of you.

Skellig Michael Cruises

Skellig Michael cruises allows you the opportunity to see the Skellig Rocks from this unique perspective. 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. Our Skellig Michael Tours operate 3 times daily and the duration of each boat tour is 2.5 hours. So if you do not want to be disappointed Book your Skellig Michael tours today here.

 

Paul Devane

 

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Our Skellig Michael tours | Boat trips to Skellig Michael

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Skellig Michael tours | Boat trips to Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael tours season is quick approaching, many of your out there are booking your holidays or already have them booked to Ireland. Many of you have decided to take a Skellig Michael tour, as it has been on your Bucket list for a while now. There is no denying a boat trip to Skellig Michael is an unforgettable experience.

Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael is the site of a Monastic Settlement dating back to the 6th century, while one can find legendary accounts of Skellig Michael which date to pagan times, back in 1400 BC.

Of course Skellig Michael is a World Heritage Site on of three in Ireland. Here is a UNSECO quote from 1996 on why it deemed Skellig Michael worthy of such an accolade. “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.”

 UNESCO WHC, 1996

Our boat tours to Skellig Michael

We here at Skellig Michael Cruises offer you trip of a life time to go around both Skellig Michael and the small Skellig. We run three times daily from the beautiful fishing village of Portmagee, just off the famous Ring of Kerry and is now a part of the world’s longest touring route the Wild Atlantic Way. We are delighted to announce here at Skellig Michael Cruises, that after a fantastic year last year. Such was the demand for our unique trip to Skellig Michael we have extended our fleet, with the purchase of another boat which has meant we have doubled our capacity. We now cater for 24 people on each of our trips to Skellig Michael.

A unique Boat trip to Skellig Michael

Our tour to Skellig Michael is to allow anyone who is unable to climb the rock.There are many people who come to Portmagee unable to climb Skellig Michael for a variety of reasons; young families, age, disability or time constraints etc.  This is where we come in, we offer you choice as we depart the pier from Portmagee at 10.30, 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm on a daily basis weather permitting. The boat trip takes around 2.5 hours in total and allows you to get up close and personal with the Skellig Islands.

Dingle Day and weekend tours

Here at Skellig Michael Cruises we also offer you the opportunity to visit the beautiful fishing village of Dingle in west Kerry. We offer a day tour on Friday Saturday and Sunday, with a weekend trip departing Portmagee on the Saturday and returning from Dingle on the Sunday to Portmagee.

Book your tour today

Now that you have your Holidays booked you can book your Skellig Michael tours with us today, or your Dingle Trip.

 

 

Paul Devane

 

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Why Visit Skellig Michael | Skellig Michael Cruises

boat tours to skellig michael

Skellig Michael is the undeniable jewel on the Wild Atlantic Way. These two great rocks which stand guard off the Kerry coast line have to be on your Bucket List.

Why Visit Skellig Michael?

Imagine these huge rocks exploding out of the sea reaching heights of more than 200 metres, standing there all rugged, vicious, aggressive, defiant and unapologetic to the powerful Atlantic ocean. They stand proud as the protect the south west coastline of Kerry from any would be invasion.

Skellig Michael possesses astounding natural beauty. It digs its heals into the sea bed almost 12km (8miles) off the Kerry coast. It transports you to another world.

Read more

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Our Cruise

Cruise around Skellig Michael

Skellig Michael is undoubtedly one of the natural wonder of world.  It is located 12km (8 miles) off the coast of Portmagee, in the south west of Ireland. This natural wonder of the world bursts out of the wild Atlantic, soaring to reach the sky and on some days it surpasses the sky line. Skellig Michael stands proudly at 218 metres (714ft) above the sea level.

There is no doubt that there are many vantage points on the Skellig ring and Ring of Kerry respectively, but none of them compares with what you will experience in our boat the Marber Therese ll; we really get up close and personal to these amazing rocks.

Skellig Michael is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reason for such a prestige prestigious accolade is that Skellig Michael is a world renowned archaeological site. The Skelligs is the location of a well-preserved monastic settlement, which dates back to the early Christian period of the sixth century.

Small Skellig

As we know, there are two rocks out there in the Atlantic; one of them is the Skellig Michael and the other is the Small Skellig. The Small Skellig is determined not to be out done by his bigger brother. The Small Skellig enjoys a world famous reputation itself: as it is the second largest colony of Gannets in the world. It is the home to more than 27,000 pairs of such birds.

Our Skellig Michael Cruise

Our cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours and you get to see this UNESCO World heritage site from a unique perspective. Our first trip leaves the pier at Portmagee at 10: 30 a.m daily; (the following departures are at 1:30 p.m and 4:30 p.m) weather permitting.

Our cruise will give you a great opportunity to discover  both islands, as we are the only operator that goes around both rocks; this is the only way to fully appreciate these amazing jewels of nature.

Our cruise here on the Marber Therese II also allows you, the people who are unable to climb the great rock, 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!

Book now, your Cruise around Skellig Michael

Now that you know  the times do not hesitate to book here online to avoid any disappoint. Also if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us today.

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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