Skellig Michael Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Skellig Michael
Photo by Karen Grubb
Photo by Philip Rigter
Photo by Phil Rigter
Photo by Megan Conner

The Skellig Rocks, with its most famous islands Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, tower out of the Atlantic Ocean seven miles west of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. This isolated position on the very edge of Europe was chosen by a small group of monks to be the home of their remote and inaccessible monastery, sometime between the 6th and 8th centuries.

The monks moved back to the mainland in the 13th Century, but the island remained a holy place and pilgrimage destination until the 19th Century. At this time, two lighthouses were built here and Skellig Michael then became an important part of Ireland’s maritime history.

Skellig Michael was recognised by UNESCO on its World Heritage List in 1996, owing to its outstanding natural value. Today, it’s home to a large variety of breeding seabird species whose enigmatic calls characterise the island’s sense of magic and mystery.

Visitors to Skellig Michael can’t help but be in awe of the achievement of the monks, all those hundreds of years ago, who turned this remote but beautiful island into their home for so long. It retains a special spiritual appeal, which serves as a reminder of the island’s former life as monastic abode, almost as if the monks’ spirits remained.

Rising out of the ocean, these great rocky islands are a place of solitude, wonder and beauty, a place once described by George Bernard Shaw as “incredible, impossible and mad” and “part of our dream world”.

The Royal Valentia Hotel
The Royal Valentia Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Market Street, Knightstown, Valentia Island, Kerry
The price is £118 per night from 6 Jul to 7 Jul
£118
6 Jul - 7 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Valentia Island. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (90 reviews)
"Place was beautiful front desk lady the day we checked in was great. Food in restaurant was good. We had NO warm water for showers in the morning and the lady basically said sorry nothing we could do about it."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

The Royal Valentia Hotel
Butler Arms Hotel
Butler Arms Hotel
4 out of 5
New Line Road, Waterville, Kerry
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £194 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
£194
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Waterville. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions The Story of Waterville Cable Station Exhibition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (125 reviews)
"Great place to stay if you are playing Waterville GC"

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

Butler Arms Hotel
Seagull Cottage B&B
Seagull Cottage B&B
4 out of 5
Seagull Cottage, Portmagee, Portmagee, County Kerry
Stay at this 4-star B&B in Portmagee. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Skellig Experience Centre and Bray Head Loop ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (121 reviews)
"Our stay at Seagull Cottage B & B was very nice. Loved the beautiful and peaceful scenery. We had an amazing breakfast consisting of Belgian waffles, homemade granola bars, French-pressed coffee!"

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Seagull Cottage B&B
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Harbour View "The Snug Apartment" - Spectacular Sea Views (Sleeps 2 - 3 people)
Harbour View "The Snug Apartment" - Spectacular Sea Views (Sleeps 2 - 3 people)
Caherdaniel
Stay at this apartment in Caherdaniel. Enjoy a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Loher Stone Fort and Derrynane House are located nearby.
Great Base
"Great base to tour ring of Kerry and fabulous beach 6km down road"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2024

Harbour View "The Snug Apartment" - Spectacular Sea Views (Sleeps 2 - 3 people)
Luxury Seaside Cottage, Stunning Ocean Views, Waterville, Ring of Kerry
Luxury Seaside Cottage, Stunning Ocean Views, Waterville, Ring of Kerry
Kerry, County Kerry
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Caherdaniel. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Loher Stone Fort and Skellig Bay ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (55 reviews)
Lovely stay - gorgeous view
"Our family really enjoyed staying at this spacious property with an awesome view over the water - sheep in the field beside us bleating peacefully - house is perfect for a family of six - lots of space - and a well equipped kitchen - clothes washer is great but there is no dryer - which should be ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Luxury Seaside Cottage, Stunning Ocean Views, Waterville, Ring of Kerry
Traditional style cottage free WiFi short walk from Reenroe Beach Ballinskelligs
Traditional style cottage free WiFi short walk from Reenroe Beach Ballinskelligs
Ballinskelligs, County Kerry
Stay at this family-friendly cottage in Emlaghmore. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Siopa Chill Rialaig and Waterville ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (100 reviews)
Wonderful location
"We had a wonderful stay at this roomy holiday home with good facilities and provisions. The area is quiet yet the local beach is magnificent and within walking distance. We brought our bikes and the local area was perfect for cycling with quiet roads and interesting coastal routes. Our friends who ..."

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

Traditional style cottage free WiFi short walk from Reenroe Beach Ballinskelligs
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Cities near Skellig Michael