Skellig Michael

There have been several times now when I've meant to post a blog after doing something really awesome: the midnight paddle through the Kinsale harbor, figuring out how to sail, and probably others that I've forgotten by now. I had one of those experiences this weekend, and I'm actually being timely in sharing it.

This past weekend Amy, David, and I went to Skellig Michael, off the coast of the Iveragh peninsula, more commonly known as the Ring of Kerry. Skellig is Gaelic for crag, and it is basically a rocky island 7-9 miles offshore that was home to a monastic settlement for ~600 years, approximately 1000 years ago. This trip is not for the fainthearted; even sea-sickness medication didn't help the boat ride to the island, and once you've landed and managed to jump from the boat to the slippery cement steps that welcome you to shore, you are facing 600 ft of steps going straight up. No handrails, no escalators, no canteen serving tea & scones at either the top or the bottom. But once you get up to the top, it is amazing. Only 12 monks lived here at a given time, and the 50 or so tourists who were with us that day made it all the more cramped. Here are some pics: