About The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre

About

About the Skellig Experience

Here at THE SKELLIG EXPERIENCE VISITOR CENTRE you can experience the many aspects of the offshore Skellig islands while remaining on the dry land. Located right on the waterfront we provide a one stop shop for all with an exhibition area, audio visual, gift shop as well as a fully licensed restaurant.

Here, through re-creations and models you can study the works and lives of the Skellig monks of the early Christian period, their activities, their endurance and their dedication in gaining a foothold on a tiny, inhospitable, offshore island and creating a community there that survived for some 600 years. In The Skellig Experience’s 80-seat auditorium, through a 14-minute film presentation you can follow the footsteps of those Skellig monks, and wonder at the legacy of architecture that they left behind.

The Skellig Experience Centre also offers – again through artefacts and realistic re-creations – an experience of Skellig lighthouse – its history – its light keepers and its service to mariners since the 1820’s.

In The Skellig Experience Centre the underwater life of Skellig is presented through a gallery of the still photographs of visiting international Skellig divers and through a colourful video exclusively from Skellig waters.

During the summer months we also offer cruises around Skellig Michael as well as landing tours. These tours are weather dependent.

THE RESTAURANT

Here at The Skellig Experience Centre we have something for everyone. Our sea view restaurant is an ideal venue for those who wish to enjoy a relaxing meal with an outstanding view. Situated across from the spectacular fishing village of Portmagee our restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a wholesome meal in picturesque surroundings.

Our restaurant is certainly one with a view providing a range of wines and craft beers which you can enjoy both in the restaurant or in our outdoor seating area that overlooks the quaint seafront. Enjoy a three course meal or simply relax with a coffee; we have it all.

Our restaurant caters for up to 100 people and is open daily from 09:00 AM to 17:00 PM during the summer months. We also provide packed lunches for those taking a trip to Skelligs. For large groups please book in advance to avoid disappointment!

FAQ's

We are a Visitor Centre dedicated to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skellig Michael. Here you can learn all the history and archaeology of Skellig Michael.

Yes we arrange boat tours daily from March to October weather permitting. These include around cruises and landing tours.

All of our boat tours depart from The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre on Valentia Island, V23 YD 52.

We do advise booking our landing tours in advance as spaces are limited. While our around cruises are very popular especially during the summer months, pre- booking is not essential.

If the Skipper deems sea conditions as unfavourable we will unfortuately have to cancel the boat tour. We will endeavor to give you as much notice as possible. For around cruises we will refund your money and for landing tours a refund will be given excluding the €5.00 handling fee.

Yes, if your around cruise is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions we will endeavor to put you on the next available around cruise.

Our around cruises will begin mid March and will continue to run daily until October weather permitting.

There is a maximum of 12 people per boat. If you have a group of 12 people or more please contact us in advance.

Yes on our website you can choose to be put on a waiting list and you will be notified as soon as a space becomes available. You must go in and book once you get the notification to avoid losing your space.

Yes, we can organise group bookings for boat tours however please contact us in advance to avoid dissapointment.

SKELLIG MICHAEL

The Skellig Islands, Skellig Michael and Small Skellig, stand aloof in the Atlantic Ocean some 12 km southwest of Valentia Island, County Kerry. From any angle, or from any vantage point on the nearby Ring of Kerry, they are spectacular pinnacles, which have magnetised viewers throughout all history – and beyond.

These Skellig islands are world-famous, each in its own right: Skellig Michael is known throughout the world of archaeology as the site of a well-preserved monastic outpost of the Early Christian period – now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Small Skellig is equally renowned in matters of ornithology and is home to some 27,000 pairs of gannets making it the second largest colony of such seabirds in the world.

A wisp of cloud often adorning the peaks of these pinnacles creates a volcanic impression! But there is nothing volcanic about these Skelligs rocks; they are created of the same 350–million-year-old Devonian Sandstone that runs right through the backbone of Kerry – from the county’s south-western headlands to the shores of Killarney’s lakes.

Admissions Rates

Exhibition Entry

Adult:

€6

Child (12 years or under):

€3.5

Senior/Student:

€5

Family:*

€17

  * Exhibition Family = (2 adults & up to 4 children under 12 years) *

Exhibition and Cruise Around Skellig Michael
(Not the Landing Boat Trip)

Adult:

€50

Child (12 years or under):

€35

Senior/Student:

€45

Family:*

€165

* Exhibition & Cruise Family = (2 adults & 2 children under 12 years) *
Per each additional
Child (12 years and under): €30

Exhibition and Alternative ‘Mini’ cruise
(Within the confines of Valentia Harbour)

Adult:

€33

Child (12 years or under):

€20

Senior/Student:

€30

Family:*

€100

* Exhibition & Cruise Family = (2 adults & 2 children under 12 years)
Per each additional
Child (12 years and under): €15

Opening Hours

December, January and February- CLOSED

March and November Open 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. 5 days a week.
Last Admission into visitor centre is at  4.15pm.

October Open 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. 7 days a week.
Last Admission into visitor centre is at  4.15pm.

April, May, June & September Open 10.00 am – 6.00 p.m. 7 days a week.
Last Admission into visitor centre is at  5.15pm.

July & August Open 10.00 am – 6.00 p.m. 7 days a week.
Last admission into visitor centre is at 5.15pm.

If you require further information please contact us by telephone on
Telephone: +353 (0)66 9476306
Mobile:  087 6359950   or   087 2843286
Email: skelligexperience@live.com

Video

You don't have permission to register