Skellig Michael Ireland

Overview

Skellig Michael (Irish Sceilig Mhichíl, "Michael's rock"), also known as Great Skellig, is one of the most famous and yet least accessible medieval monasteries.

History

Skelling Michael was built in 588 AD on a steep rocky island about 12 kilometers off the coast in County Kerry, Ireland. It survived a Viking raid in 823 and was significantly expanded with a new chapel around the start of the second millennium.

The site was abandoned around 1100. Starting in the 1500s, Skellig Michael became a popular destination for annual pilgrimages, but attracted no permanent residents.

Description

The extreme remoteness of Skellig Michael has until recently discouraged most visitors, leaving the site exceptionally well preserved. The very spartan conditions inside the monastery illustrates the ascetic lifestyle practiced by early Irish christians. The monks lived in stone "beehive" huts (clochans), perched above nearly vertical cliff walls.

In 1826 a lighthouse was built on the island and in 1986 some restoration work was done and an official tourist bureau associated with the island was established.

Restrictions have recently been imposed on tourist access in the belief that tourists were causing a worrying degree of damage to the site, particularly with regard to the ancient stone steps up the rock.

Alternative methods that would preserve the site while allowing public access are now being considered.