The Skellig Islands

The Skellig Islands are called Na Scealaga in Gaelige. The islands are two small, steep and rocky islands lying about 10 miles west of Bolus Head on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry. They are famous for their thriving wild bird populations including gannets and puffins, and also for an early Christian monastery that is now a world heritage site.

There are two Skellig Islands, Little Skeillg, known as Sceilig Bheig in Gaelige and Skellig Michael, known as Sceilig Mhichíl in Gaelige.

Little Skellig is unfortunately closed to the public, and holds Ireland's largest and the world's second-largest Northern Gannet colony, with almost 30,000 pairs.

Skellig Michael is the larger of the 2 islands, rising to over 230 m above sea level. With a sixth-century Christian monastery perched on a ledge close to the top.