The rocky island of Skellig Michael: Home to one of the earliest monastic settlements in Ireland

The Skellig Rocks, Skellig Michael (also known as Great Skellig) and Little Skellig, are towering sea crags rising from the Atlantic Ocean almost 12 kilometers west of the Ivereagh Peninsula in County Kerry.

The larger of the two Skellig Islands, Skellig Michael, is home to something quite unique – a remarkably well-preserved sixth-century monastery that illustrates the very spartan existence of the first Irish Christians.

This 6th century Monastery stands high on the rocky outcrop of the largest of two Skellig Islands. Photo Credit — *This 6th-century Monastery stands high on the rocky outcrop of the largest of two Skellig Islands. Photo Credit*

Skellig Michael's behive huts, Ireland. Right - Cell F, left - Cell E. Photo Credit — *Skellig Michael’s huts, Ireland. Right – Cell F, left – Cell E. Photo Credit*

A group of determined Irish Christians established this monastic outpost on the island that remains largely intact 1,400 years later.

Using stones, the monks built hundreds of stairs leading up to Skellig Michael’s summit, where they erected six beehive-shaped stone huts, two oratories, a number of stone crosses and slabs, and a small chapel.

These massive walls were constructed of drystone to create level terracing for the establishment of the monastery. Photo Credit — *These massive walls were constructed of dry stone to create level terracing for the establishment of the monastery. Photo Credit*

*The earliest reference in history to the Skellig Islands dates back to 600AD. Photo Credit*

It has been estimated that no more than twelve monks and an abbot lived here at any one time. These monks led simple lives and lived in stone, beehive shaped huts, called clochans.

These huts, which were round on the outside and rectangular on the inside, were carefully built so that no drop of rain ever entered between the stones.

*Skellig Michael was uninhabited before its monastery was founded. Photo Credit*

Skellig Michael behive huts. Photo Credit — *Skellig Michael* beehive huts. Photo Credit

The monks used a system of retaining walls to make level terraces upon which they constructed their buildings within the inner enclosure.

The lower terracing within the outer enclosure provided garden areas for cultivation.

*Skellig Michael, beehive cells and Small Skellig. Photo Credit*

The most important building in the working monastery is the Large Oratory, a traditional inverted boat-shaped oratory with a wide west doorway and a small rectangular window in the east wall.

The monks’ graveyard is located to the east of the Large Oratory. The series of crosses are roughly shaped and some have plain incised decoration.

*The cemetery and the Large Oratory, the earliest extant church within the monastic enclosure. Photo Credit*

*The archaeological remains seen today date from the 11th and 12th centuries. Photo Credit*

The monastery remained continuously occupied until it was abandoned in the late 12th century.

Even as late as the 18th and 19th centuries, already long abandoned and in ruins, Skellig continued to occupy a quasi-mythical reputation.

*One of the most dramatic examples of the extremes of Christian monasticism. Photo Credit*

In 1996, the remains of the monastery, and most of the island, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo Credit — *In 1996, the remains of the monastery, and most of the island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo Credit*

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In 1996, UNESCO inscribed the island of Skellig Michael onto the World Heritage List in recognition of its outstanding universal value.