Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael is an extraordinary rock rising from the Atlantic Ocean twelve kilometres off the coast of Kerry in southwest Ireland, an island of volcanic origin whose vertiginous profile and remote position amplify the astonishment of discovering at its summit one of the most perfectly preserved early Christian monastic settlements in the world. The beehive huts and stone oratories built by the monks who inhabited this island from the sixth century until approximately the twelfth century cling to a terrace 180 metres above sea level, reached by nearly 600 stone steps carved from the living rock by the monks themselves. The community that established themselves here chose one of the most extreme and inhospitable places imaginable for their Christian community, and that choice was deliberately made. The Celtic monastic tradition sought places of radical separation from the world, and Skellig Michael offered that separation in absolute terms: a storm-battered rock in open Atlantic water, accessible only in calm conditions, surrounded by the sea on all sides and supporting no natural food sources beyond seabirds and fish. The monks who lived here were engaged in a form of spiritual athleticism that placed physical endurance and the renunciation of comfort at the heart of religious practice. The monastic settlement is remarkably complete for its age. Six corbelled stone beehive huts known as clochans, two boat-shaped oratories, two churches, a cemetery and a series of stone crosses survive in good condition on the South Peak terrace, preserved by the exceptionally dry Atlantic conditions and the stone construction techniques that allowed these buildings to shed water without mortar. The technical skill required to construct the corbelled beehive huts, in which carefully overlapping flat stones create a completely waterproof interior without any cement or mortar, reflects a sophisticated understanding of local stone and construction methods. Skellig Michael was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 and became globally famous as a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, in which the island's otherworldly landscape served as the hermitage of Luke Skywalker. Visits are strictly controlled by the Office of Public Works: boat landings are only permitted between May and October, weather conditions must be suitable, and a limited number of visitors are allowed per day. Advance booking through licensed boat operators is essential.