Situated off the coast of Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula, lies the
island of Sceilig Mhichíl. It is one
of two prominent land masses that emerge from the ocean and which are popularly
known as the Skelligs. What sets it apart from its smaller nearby sibling, Sceilg Bheag, are the Christian monastic settlements
that lies near its summit. Led up to by a steep stone stair, these structures are
characterised by their beehive design and were built early in its 600 years of existence
from the 6th century to the 12th.
On the bouncy boat ride over from Portmagee, it is easy to wonder
how the group of monks, led by St Fionán who is said to have founded the place,
must have decided on whether they would move to Sceilig Mhichíl. You can only imagine they weighed it up with a list of
pros and cons.
Pros:
- Peace.
- Solitude.
- One
of the world’s largest gannet colonies next door on Sceilig Bheag.
- Great
drying for the clothes.
- Peace.
- Puffins
with hundreds of these colourfully crazy-looking beaked birds for company.
- Low
smog levels.
- Great
views over the whole world during those few annual days of Atlantic sunshine.
- The
perfect hideaway for a Jedi Knight trying to keep a low profile.
- Peace.
Cons:
- Nearly
12 kilometres off the county in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Atlantic
storms.
- No
shops nearby.
- Limited
parking.
- No
chance of rescue.
- Atlantic
storms.
- Terrible
mobile phone coverage.
- Bird poo.
- Atlantic
storms.
Whether it was the peace or the puffins that swung it in the
end they decided to move. And if you don’t mind heights, sea travel and the wet
ankles you might have to endure to get out here, reaching their simple but stunning
beehive huts on one of those rare sunny days you realise it was the right decision.
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