After the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, there was a predictable influx of people interested in visiting the stunning Skellig Michael island in order to connect with Rey, Luke, and the Star Wars legend in general. Google was aflutter with people searching for “Star Wars Kerry Island?” and “what’s the Irish island where Star Wars was filmed?” In fact, it still is!
However, there are many great reasons to visit Skellig Michael that have nothing whatsoever to do with Star Wars, and we’d like to sing the praises of this striking little island, hopefully teaching readers one or two things they don’t already know.
You probably clicked on this article because you’re interested in visiting Skellig Michael, and we hope we can give you a few more reasons to visit! And if we do inspire you to explore Ireland with Overland, please consider our Small-Group Tours of Ireland or our Self-Drive Tours of Ireland. If you have any questions whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Visit Skellig Michael’s Ancient Monastic Site
Even with modern boats and technology, it is still difficult to reach Skellig Michael. This makes it all the more impressive that monks settled there as early as the 6th century AD! It’s also remarkable that they built the dry-stone walls and buildings that still stand there to this day, and that many of these structures were probably built in the early 11th century. It’s hardly surprising that we included this special place in our picks for unique attractions to see in Ireland.
The fact that the monastery is still in such incredible condition is largely due to the quality of the craftsmanship and how difficult the island has been to visit for centuries. In fact, tourists only began to visit Skellig Michael semi-regularly in the 1970s.
Skellig Michael: Small Island, Epic Scenery
Skellig Michael may be a small island in the scheme of things, but its scenery and vistas are far from small! The only views better than looking up at the mountainous island from the water are the views from its peak, looking out at the open Atlantic Ocean, Little Skellig (the small sister island nearby), and the rolling hills along the Kerry coastline. Everything looks better from a height, and the monastic site at Skellig Michael is 600 feet above sea level, giving you unparalleled vistas of this remote, beautiful part of Ireland.
By the time you’ve climbed the 600+ stone steps up to the top of the island, looked out at the awe-inspiring views, and had time to reflect on the mysterious monks who managed to live (and flourish) in such a wild place that is so difficult reach and inhabit, you’ll see why people have been visiting the island and creating memories long before before the Star Wars sequels.
If you’re already tempted by a trip to this incredible place, be sure to read our Guide to Visiting the Magical Skellig Islands when you have finished here.
Meet Skellig Michael’s Most Charming Residents
In springtime, Skellig Michael is home to a bustling population of puffins. They roost, breed, and rear their young on the island, taking advantage of the rich Atlantic waters and the lack of natural predators on the isolated island. You don’t need to be an ornithologist to appreciate the puffins on Skellig Michael; they are charming birds, and it is quite the spectacle to see them out in their thousands.
And if puffins weren’t charming enough, there is also an impressive population of gannets on Little Skellig, the nearby island. In fact, this is the second-largest population of northern gannets in the world. Gannets are quite large (they have a wingspan of six feet), so it’s an incredible, mind-bending spectacle to look out at such unfathomable numbers of them in the sky.
If you’ve come this far and you are a Star Wars fan, we’ve got some great extra reading for you! Check out our blog Why Skellig Michael is the Ultimate Pilgrimage for Star Wars Fans.
Planning your Trip to Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael was one of Ireland’s many treasures long before Star Wars was filmed there. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is protected and, as such, there are a limited number of visits, with only 15 boat operators given exclusive rights to bring guests to the island.
Overland Ireland is one of a select number of Ireland tour companies working with these boat operators to ensure we can always bring our guests to Skellig Michael. Our visits are part of our wider Ireland to Island Tour, an incredible adventure along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and beyond.
If you have any questions for us whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Start planning and researching your ultimate Ireland and Skellig Michael adventure with a little help from Overland Ireland!
