Skellig Michael (Irish Sceilg Mhichíl) is a steep, rocky island about 12 km off the southwest coast of Ireland (County Kerry). Crowned by a 6th–8th-century monastic complex of dry-stone beehive huts and oratories, it served as the isolationist “Ahch-To” in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017). Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 1996) prized for its remarkably intact medieval architecture and rich seabird colonies.
Skellig Michael is part of a pair of jagged islands nicknamed the “Skelligs.” Its sister, Little Skellig, lies just north and hosts a huge gannet colony (c. 30,000 pairs, one of the world’s largest). Skellig Michael itself rises 218 m above sea level, its twin peaks flanking a glacial saddle called “Christ’s Saddle”. In the 6th century an early Irish Christian community led by St. Fionan established a monastery here. For centuries monks lived in corbelled clochán huts and boat-shaped chapels, cultivating terraced gardens and fishing in the open ocean. They dedicated their island church to St. Michael (built ca. 950–1050 AD) and left the island only in the 12th–13th century.
Skellig Michael’s name literally means “Michael’s Rock,” reflecting the patron saint. Today the surviving monastery ruins and dry-stone huts loom like a mountaintop village. The settlement’s extreme isolation and raw beauty exemplify “extremes of Christian monasticism”. UNESCO notes that “all the physical components of the ideal small monastery exist on Skellig”, and that the stone structures are so intact that the architecture “offers unique documentation” of early medieval Irish masonry. Archaeologists also uncovered small chapels, cross-marked graves, and even 19th-century lighthouse buildings, telling a 1,400-year saga of sanctuary, abandonment and conservation.
When director J.J. Abrams began scouting locations for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he needed a site that felt ancient, remote and real. After seeing photos of Skellig Michael, he texted production designer Rick Carter: “I love you! This is the best.”. The production agreed it was a miracle of a location – windswept stone huts atop an Atlantic pyramid. Abrams later marveled, “I can’t believe they let us shoot there. It was so beautiful.”.
Over late summer 2014, the Star Wars crew ferried cast and gear 8 miles (≈12 km) by boat from Portmagee out to the island. They filmed at the unmodified monastery and steps, standing in for “Ahch-To,” the planet where Luke Skywalker had hidden himself. Martin Joy, the supervising location manager, said the crew was “blown away” by Skellig’s otherworldly aura, and that it “fed into our Star Wars universe.”. The filmmakers did allow only a few hours of shooting per day, strictly timed between weather fronts, and left no trace of their presence. Local boatmen reported that Lucasfilm staff constantly emphasized the site’s fragility, treating Skellig Michael with reverence throughout the shoot.
“Star Wars found its unique filming location on the Wild Atlantic Way,” proclaimed an Irish tourism release. The remote monastery instantly became iconic to fans: imagine Rey climbing those 600‑plus steps to meet the hermit Luke at sunrise. (For The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson also shot sequences here, though many Ahch-To scenes were later re-created on mainland locations.) The result is that Skellig Michael not only bridges the ancient and modern, but has enchanted visitors seeking the place “from another time and place.”.
Skellig Michael is just one stop in an all-Ireland fan tour. Notable filming sites beyond the Skelligs include:
Each of these spots can be reached by road. For example, Kerry Airport (Farranfore) is only ~78 km from Portmagee (≈1h 15m drive), and Cork City is ~130 km from Portmagee (~2.5–3 h). Dingle town (for Ceann Sibeal) is 80 km west of Portmagee (≈1.5 h). The northernmost Malin Head is a long haul (Dingle to Malin ≈520 km, ~7 h drive), so many fans combine it with travel to Ulster and Northern Ireland. (Alternatively, some choose to fly in/out of Belfast for ease.)
Skellig Michael’s designation as a World Heritage Site (under its Irish name Sceilg Mhichíl) highlights its “Outstanding Universal Value.” Inscribed in 1996, it is one of only two UNESCO properties in the Republic of Ireland (the other is Brú na Bóinne/Newgrange). UNESCO cites two criteria: Skellig Michael “illustrates… the extremes of a Christian monasticism” (criterion iii) and is “an outstanding and… unique example of an early religious settlement deliberately sited on a pyramidal rock in the ocean, preserved because of a remarkable environment.” (criterion iv).
This status shapes how Skellig is managed. Strict protections limit visitors (capped at ~180 landings per day) and forbid any development. In fact, filming permits for Star Wars required special permission to ensure no sets or equipment damaged the site. The Irish government’s OPW guards the monument year-round, and any visit must follow an OPW guide. The laws of “National Monuments” and wildlife protection apply heavily here.
Preservation is ongoing: since the late 1970s the OPW and archaeologists have been repairing the stone walls, steps and terraces, using only traditional materials and careful recording. Today climate change (more extreme storms) and foot traffic are the chief threats. Visitors are urged to stay on paths and to treat Skellig Michael as an “especially vulnerable site.”
Visiting Skellig Michael requires careful planning. The landing season runs roughly mid-May through late September (when weather and sea conditions permit). Outside these months (October–April), the seas are too rough for boats.
Permits and boat tours: Visits are only via licensed boat operators. The OPW maintains a list of about 15 permitted vessels (see OPW HeritageIreland for current names and contacts). To land, passengers must be on an approved tour; boats without Skellig permits can only cruise by. Each operator offers two kinds of trips: a landing tour (you step ashore and climb to the monastery) or an eco-cruise around the islands (no landing). All tours depart from Portmagee (Glen Pier), with a crossing time of roughly 45–60 minutes each way, though this can vary with sea state.
Booking in advance: Boat tours book up fast. For a summer visit, reserve 3–4 months ahead (by early spring). Operators usually accept online or phone bookings; you may need to provide passport details and emergency contacts. (You must sign a liability waiver and sometimes a health questionnaire.) If weather cancels your trip, most companies offer full refunds or a rebooking option. In 2025, tour firms started full operations after a late-legal delay, so verifying with operators before travel is wise.
Daily logistics: Expect an average visit time of ~2.5 hours on the island (excluding the boat ride). Many tours depart Portmagee by 8–9am, returning mid- to late afternoon. Don’t plan other activities for that day, since boat times depend on tides and weather. The OPW visitor guide advises: “Visitors must adhere to instructions of OPW guides”, stay on paths, and pack water/protective clothing. Toilets and parking are available at Portmagee marina.
Once you land on the rocky shore at Skellig Michael, you’ll begin the climb along the ancient zigzag steps carved into the cliff. The wind can be strong and the rocks slick, so grasp the handrail wherever there is one. Gradually the narrow path ascends through sea-layered walls, and seabirds will surge past you in white-and-black clouds. Expect about 1,500 feet of total vertical ascent (180 m) to the monastery terrace.
After roughly 45–60 minutes of climbing (depending on your fitness and stops), you reach the plateau where the beehive cells cluster. Here, a guide usually gives a short historical talk (on sunny days, outside an oratory). You can then explore on your own. Highlights include the Beehive Huts (six intact circular cells), the main oratory/church, and the relief-carved stone crosses marking the cemetery. Peer through the tiny “sally ports” (doors) of each hut to see how snug they were.
After viewing the huts (and taking endless photos of the landscape), you’ll descend the same steps. Plan ~2–3 hours total on-island to climb, explore and rest before heading back to the boat. There are no shops or restrooms on Skellig Michael, so use facilities in Portmagee beforehand and carry everything you need.
The climb is demanding. You will ascend 618 stone steps – most are uneven, narrow slabs ranging from knee to waist height. A typical visitor, even in good shape, takes 30–60 minutes to reach the monastery (less fit visitors should allow more time). The OPW specifically warns that “any person with health issues should consider carefully their own physical limitations”.
By September, boat schedules can still operate but sea fog and rain increase; fewer puffins remain (they depart by mid-August). If wildlife is your priority, June–mid-August is ideal. For quieter experience (fewer people, slightly higher chance of a cancellation), try late May or early September. Always check weather forecasts (even on the day of travel) – the OPW and tour operators will cancel if conditions are unsafe. Early mornings or late afternoons on Skellig can be dramatically sunny or misty-cold; dress in layers.
Skellig Michael is also renowned for seabirds and marine life. The slopes are alive with nesting birds in summer: Atlantic puffins (called “clowns of the sea” for their colorful beaks) burrow into grassy banks and rocky crevices. You’ll see dozens of puffins perching on edges or swimming near the boat. They stay April through mid-August, departing by early autumn. (Legend has it they inspired Star Wars’ Porg creatures on Ahch-To.)
Below you, the waters teem with shearwaters, guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. Offshore, Little Skellig hosts Ireland’s second-largest gannet colony – on a clear day you may spot thousands of these large white birds wheeling over the rock. Grey seals haul out on skerries (often visible from boats) and sometimes lie on ledges of Skellig Michael itself, sunning in the breeze. It’s illegal and dangerous to disturb wildlife: do not approach nests or animals.
Wildlife List (Seasonal Highlights):
– Atlantic Puffin: April–Aug (nest on Skellig cliffs)
– Northern Gannet: Year-round (Little Skellig colony, ~35,000 pairs)
– Grey Seal: Year-round (haul out on offshore skerries)
– Other Seabirds: Manx shearwater, razorbill, guillemot, kittiwake, fulmar (breeding in summer)
– Marine Mammals: Dolphin pods and sunfish occasionally accompany tour boats in summer.
If you cannot go ashore (due to age, mobility, or a sold-out season), there are still ways to enjoy Skellig Michael’s majesty:
Experience | Skellig Landing Tour | Skellig Eco-Cruise | Land-based Viewing |
Access | Boat to island, land on Skellig Michael and climb steps | Boat around both Skelligs, no landing | View from mainland (Ballinskelligs Head or Valentia, etc.) |
Duration | ~2.5 h on island + boat (~4–5 h total) | ~3 h round trip | As long as you like |
Wildlife Views | See puffins and seabird colonies up close on cliffs | Often see dolphins, whales, seabirds (Little Skellig up close) | Distant views of Skellig; binoculars needed |
Physical Demand | High (618 uneven steps, strenuous climb) | Low (some boat movement in open sea; no climb needed) | None; wheelchair/car-friendly lookout points |
Cost (approx.) | €100–130 per adult | €40–50 per adult | Free; cost of transport only |
Best For | History buffs, hikers, Jedi pilgrims who want the full experience | Wildlife lovers, families with young kids, those avoiding strenuous hike | Quick photo ops, casual tourists |
The village of Portmagee (pop. ~350) is the main gateway. It has a small harbor with several boat companies. Portmagee offers several guesthouses and B&Bs on the Wild Atlantic Way – for example, family-run inns like The Moorings or larger homes offering Skellig-themed rooms. (Book a year in advance for summer!) Nearby Ballinskelligs is 8 km east and has hotels, pubs, and a nearby campsite.
Elsewhere on the Iveragh Peninsula: Waterville and Caherciveen (20–30 km east) have lodging and restaurants; both are atmospheric Kerry towns with views of Skellig Michael on clear days. The National Park’s Killarney (east) or Dingle (northwest) are larger hubs if traveling as part of a longer trip, though they add 1–2 hours’ drive to Portmagee. Travel times: Farranfore Airport (Kerry) is ~78 km/1.15 h from Portmagee. Cork City airport is ~210 km/4 h, and Dublin ~350 km/5–6 h by road. (Public bus/rail options to Kerry connect to Killarney but always factor in that remote roads can add time.)
(Alternate itinerary: If North Ireland is impractical, skip Day 6–7 and instead explore more of Kerry/Cork, such as Beara Peninsula or Killarney National Park. Fans can also visit the Skellig Islands by helicopter charter, though this is rare and subject to strict regulations.)
Q: Why can’t I visit Skellig Michael all year?
A: The sea conditions make it dangerously inaccessible outside May–Sept. The UNESCO site is officially closed in winter. All boats are Irish-flagged and must obey OPW closures.
Q: How hard is the climb to the monastery?
A: Very steep – 618 irregular stone steps up to 180 m high. Good fitness is needed. Plan 30–60 min each way (up/down). Take breaks, use handrails, and descend with care, especially if steps are wet.
Q: Are children or teenagers allowed?
A: Children under 12 are not permitted. Teenagers must be supervised carefully. The OPW insists on this for safety.
Q: What if my trip is canceled?
A: Weather cancellations are common. Operators usually rebook you free of charge or fully refund. Legal hold-ups (as in 2025) are rare but occurred; always keep alternate plans. If Skellig landing is impossible, consider an eco-cruise or visiting the Skellig Experience centre instead.
Q: How do I book a landing tour?
A: You must book through a licensed company. No walk-up tickets are available. See the OPW/Heritage Ireland list. Most boats require online booking and payment months in advance.
Q: Can I stay overnight on Skellig Michael?
A: No. Overnights are strictly prohibited (it’s a protected site and no camping or lodging exists). All visits must be day trips only.
Q: Is it possible to climb up to the “hermitages” on the South Peak?
A: No. The South Peak trail is closed to visitors. Only the main monastery platform is open. The steep path above that (to the upper hermitages) is extremely dangerous and off-limits.
Q: What should I wear and bring?
A: Wear windproof, layered clothing and sturdy boots with good grip. Bring water, snacks, sun protection, and a windproof rain jacket. Binoculars are recommended for birdlife, and a camera is a must (but secure it on a strap in the wind).
Q: Are there restrooms on Skellig Michael?
A: No. Toilets are available only at Portmagee pier. Use them before boarding, as there are no facilities on the island.
Q: Can I use a drone or take pets?
A: Absolutely not. Drones and pets (dogs, etc.) are forbidden, to protect the wildlife and site.
