Minister O’Donovan views progress on conservation and planned refurbishment projects on Sceilg Mhichíl

Minister Patrick O’Donovan visited Sceilg Mhichíl in June to view progress on a number of current conservation and refurbishment projects undertaken by the OPW’s Conservation Services.

Making his way up the steep path that leads from the pier to the beehives of the monastic site, Minister O’Donovan stopped at the Upper Lighthouse, which the OPW intends to re-roof and refurbish to accommodate a visitor centre and OPW staff accommodation. Plans are also being prepared for the refurbishment of the Lower Lighthouse Keeper’s house to accommodate OPW staff and external consultants visiting the island.

Sceilg Mhichíl’s remote location in the Atlantic creates numerous issues as an operational visitor site not least its accessibility, which is weather-dependent and its ancient, uneven monastic steps that pose a very real challenge to staff and visitors. Each year, a six-week routine of maintenance works has to be carried out prior to reopening. This was completed in time for reopening to visitors on 1 July for the 2021 summer season. Until this year, there were no visitor toilets on the island. However, improving toilet and hygiene facilities on the island has become a critical issue following the Covid-19 pandemic and the OPW has therefore made the provision of new visitor toilets a priority.

Left to right: Pat Morris, Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD, Fergus McCormick and Bláthmhac Ó Muirí.

Other planned work includes repairs to the lighthouse road to enable access as well as repairing and refurbishing the fog station, constructed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights in June 1914, to create a viewing platform area for visitors.

Minister O’Donovan said:

“I understand the massive importance of this rock to the south-west Kerry region and to the wider national tourism industry. With us being able to open it and bring people back here, I believe it can be used as a symbol of hope for us going forward, out of what has been a very difficult time. This is a magnificent place, hewn out of rock in the middle of the Atlantic. It is a jaw-dropping experience. This place is really part of what we are and who we are. For the monks who came out here long ago it was about hope in terms of their faith and I think reopening this island is a beacon of hope for us today in our journey out of Covid.”

Monastery and Beehive Huts on UNESCO World Heritage Site Skellig Michael with Little Skellig in the background.

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