The Skellig Experience Exhibition
Models, re-creations and artefacts trace how the monks built a monastery on a jagged rock 12 km offshore and survived there for some 600 years, covering their daily life and the 618-step climb.
The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre
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About
A waterfront visitor centre on Valentia Island that tells the story of the Skellig Michael monks, with a sea-view restaurant and boat tours out to the islands themselves.
Things to Do
Island on the Edge of the World Film Show
The centre's 80-seat auditorium screens a 14-minute audio-visual documentary on the monks' isolated island life, with sea-bird calls and lighthouse ship-to-shore radio adding atmosphere.
Lighthouse, Sea Life and Seabirds
Displays cover the Skellig lighthouse and its keepers plus the underwater life around the islands. Little Skellig hosts one of the world's largest gannet colonies, and puffins nest on Skellig Michael until late July.
Skellig Michael Sea Cruise
A 2.5-hour around-the-islands cruise gives close-up views of both rocks and their seabird colonies without landing; book it alone from €42 per person or combined with exhibition entry.
Skellig Michael Landing Tour
Weather permitting, a 3.5-hour landing tour takes you ashore to climb the 618 stone steps to the monastic settlement at the summit. Landing tours are limited and should be booked well in advance.
Sea-View Restaurant
A licensed restaurant seating up to 100 serves meals, coffee and cake with views across to Portmagee Harbour, plus wines and craft beers. There is an outdoor terrace and packed lunches for boat trips; in summer it opens daily 09:00 to 17:00.
Gift Shop
The on-site shop stocks a wide range of books, music, clothing and souvenirs.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Closed December to February. July & August and April, May, June & September: 10:00-17:00 daily, last admission 16:15. October: 10:00-17:00 daily, last admission 16:15. March and November: 10:30-16:30, 4 days a week, last admission 16:00.
- Admission: Exhibition only: adults €6, children (12 and under) €3.50, seniors/students €5, family €17. Combined exhibition-and-boat-tour tickets are also sold.
- Parking: Free car park on site, plus paid car park and free street parking nearby.
- Food: Sea-view restaurant and outdoor terrace overlooking Portmagee Harbour, open daily 09:00-17:00 in summer, with wines, craft beers and packed lunches for boat trips. The centre is across from the fishing village of Portmagee.
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