Little Skellig and Skellig Michael

Off the south west tip of Ireland are two islands known as The Skelligs: Little Skellig which is an uninhabited bird sanctuary, and Great Skellig, or Skellig Michael, which has the remains of a very early monastery.  This view is taken from Skellig Michael looking towards Little Skellig.

This monastery was built something like 600 years ago on the island 8 miles or 12 km off the coast.  Its remoteness has helped keep it amazingly well preserved so even today a visitor can see the beehive shaped dwellings, the oratories, and St Michael's Church.  Boat trips are strictly controlled to limit the number of visitors and allowed only during good weather because of the fairly steep and hazardous climb from the landing points.  It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

"But for the magic that takes you out, far out of this time and this world, there is Skellig Michael, ten miles off the Kerry Coast, shooting straight up 700 feet out of the Atlantic. Whoever has not stood in the graveyards at the summit of that cliff, among the beehive dwellings and their beehive oratory, does not know Ireland through and through.  It is the beauty of Ireland that has made us what we are." ~  George Bernard Shaw, 1910.

Click on the button to visit Jocelyn's cuckootree to take part in Our Wonderful World Tuesday.