Fears Sceilg Mhichíl may not open to visitors this season
Fears are growing in Co Kerry that Sceilg Mhichíl may not open for visitors this season.
Boat operators say they have yet to be issued with the necessary Office of Public Works (OPW) permits to land on the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Boat trips to land visitors on the monastic rock were expected to commence in just over a week, but legal proceedings have been taken by a number of operators in relation to the permits.
The OPW, which oversees the management of Sceilg Mhichíl, issues landing permits to 15 boat operators.
Total visitor numbers on the rock is limited to 180 people each day, however, difficult sea and weather conditions greatly significantly reduces the number of days when it is possible to land.
It is understood the process of issuing landing permits for Sceilg Mhichíl has been stalled due to this High Court challenge, which is centred on a public competition which was held in awarding this season's permits.
Sceilg Mhichíl was expected to open on 10 May, however the OPW has yet to indicate if this will now happen.
Tourism interests in south Kerry say they have been left "in limbo".
James Murphy of the Skellig Coast Tourism Network says the lack of communication from the OPW is worrying.
He said: 'The Skellig Rock is our lifeblood. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and any delay affects us massively. Boat operators, B and Bs, restaurants, everyone's affected by it, even the shops. If it doesn't open we're in trouble.
"All we want is a bit of clarity. As a group which represents over 130 businesses in the area, we've heard nothing from the OPW.
"The boatmen have no clarity and the rest of us are left in limbo as well."
"If permits aren't issued it's going to affect income, it's going to affect jobs. If it doesn't open, come next year there could be business closed because of it. Our survival relies on the summer, that's when we make our money and we need Sceilg to be open," he added.
Last year, a public competition for licences was advertised. This was the first occasion the e-tender process had been used.
However, that competition was cancelled by the OPW due to "procedural error" and temporary permits for the 2024 season were issued to 15 existing boat operators.
Following its most recent public competition for the 2025 permits, the OPW issued a list of 15 successful candidates.
Three existing operators failed to secure permits. These operators have raised concerns in relation to the criteria and nature of the tendering process and have sought a judicial review in the High Court.
While boat trips around Sceilg Mhichíl and its sister-rock, Sceilg Bheag, will continue unhindered, local councillor Norma Moriarty says all efforts should be made to allow landings on the World Heritage site.
She said: "The jewel in the crown is accessing the rock and we could potentially be losing a whole season of access is potentially devastating and we can't have that.
"The OPW have a precedent. They have over the last number of years issued temporary permits to ensure we have access to the rock. That option is there to them while this judicial review process unfolds and takes it course.
"No one knows what the result of that will be, but what we cannot have is a season lost because it would be devasting to the local economy, but also to the wider tourism offering as a country."
The OPW has yet to indicate its plans for Sceilg Mhichil this season.
In a brief response to a number of queries the OPW said: "The Office of Public Works conducted a public competition to award permits to land on Sceilg Mhichíl.
"This competition is now subject to legal proceedings and as such the Office of Public Works cannot comment."
Yesterday in the Dáil, Kerry TD Michael Cahill called for the issuing of 18 permits as a temporary solution.
The Fianna Fáil TD told the Chamber: "They would be confined to ten passengers each, keeping in line with the cap of 180, to ensure the season operates for the good of all concerned, on a one-season-only basis and with full licences to be reverted to in 2026.
"This is exceedingly important to bed and breakfast accommodation, guesthouses, hotels restaurants, bars and coffee shops all over south Kerry. This needs to be resolved."
In response, Tánaiste Simon Harris said it was important to assist visits to "such a beautiful treasure and an amazing place" and that he would speak to the Minister of State for the OPW, Kevin 'Boxer' Moran on the issue.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
a day ago
- The Journal
Landings at Skellig Michael set to begin today after another delay to permits for operators
BOAT TRIPS TO Skellig Micheal are due to begin today after the High Court ordered that the Office of Public Works (OPW) allow boat trips to the island, pending a wider legal battle. It comes as the permits were once again delayed over the weekend, causing Skellig Michael's tourism network to hit out at the OPW. Every year, fifteen operators are awarded landing permits which allow them to bring 12 visitors each – a maximum of 180 visitors across the 15 operators – to the island each day. Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also a location heavily featured in two Star Wars films. The island is a popular tourist spot and brings a great deal of business to the local area. Two companies, which were unsuccessful in their applications for the 2025 season, made a judicial review application, resulting in a delay to the granting of permits. The season runs from May to the end of September. Last Tuesday at the High Court, Justice Garret Simons said he was 'staggered' by the assertion made by lawyers for the Office of Public Works (OPW) that it would need six months to prepare the case. The judge said the court would give the case 'top priority', adding that the court had 'gone out of its way' to facilitate an early trial. Advertisement Justice Simons said he would rule on Thursday of last week on whether to lift the suspension of the permits. On Thursday, the judge granted an application by the Office of Public Works to lift an automatic suspension on landing at the island. However, on Saturday the Skellig Coast Tourism Network said that the OPW has always had the legal authority to issue temporary permits and it should 'never have required a court order to be implemented'. The season was initially set to begin on 10 May, prior to the legal challenge. After Thursday's ruling, the OPW announced that landings would begin on Saturday 7 June, but this was then postponed and pushed out to today, 10 June, the network continued. It accused the OPW of failing to 'meaningfully include' the local community and the boatmen. The OPW has confirmed that the OPW guiding team arrived on the island on Sunday and are working towards commencing landings on the heritage site today. 'Following the High Court's decision to lift the suspension on 2025 permits issuing, the OPW is working with the boat operators to progress the final steps of the permit process and to ensure compliance,' a statement said. 'For the 2025 visitor season, there will be three guides stationed on the island at all times. It is intended that landings will commence on Tuesday, 10 June, subject to weather conditions. Visitors should check directly with their boat operator to confirm sailings.' The OPW has been asked for comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Skellig Michael opening delayed again with tour guides unavailable
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has come under fire after the start of the already-delayed visitor season to Skellig Michael had to be postponed once again as there were no tour guides in place on the island. The UNESCO world heritage site has been closed to tourists since May 10 due to a legal dispute over landing permits. The start of the four-and-a-half month landing season was initially delayed after the OPW was issued with legal proceedings from three tenderers who were unsuccessful in an open competition to award boat licences. The OPW maintained that it wasn't in a position to legally issue landing permits to the 15 successful boatmen whilst legal proceedings were in place. However, last Thursday the High Court gave the green light to the OPW to lift the suspension and issue permits for the 2025 season. The OPW then confirmed it would be in contact with the boat operators to complete the process, and that boat trips to the island were "expected to begin on Saturday, 7 June". But despite the favourable weather conditions over the weekend, it has since emerged that landings were not possible as the island's tour guides had not yet arrived on the site for the start of the season. The boat operators who have been issued permits for the season have since been told that the season has now been scheduled to start on Tuesday, June 10, meaning they've lost another three days of business. 'Desperately disappointing' Boatmen and tourist representatives in the region have spoken of their frustration and anger at the latest setback. Donal McCrohan, chairman of the Skellig Boatmen's Association, said: "This is desperately disappointing for everyone around here, and it's something that no one anticipated. "After the court decision on Thursday, we would have expected to be out on the boats by Saturday, and to add to the disappointment, the sea conditions have been excellent. After losing so much of the season already, every single day is vital. "That's three more days we've lost, and I've had to cancel the people who were booked with us." He said "We're all suffering round here at the moment and the place is empty. It's got to the stage where you start to wonder what else could go wrong." Paul Devane, who's a boat operator and local restaurateur in Portmagee, said: "We've been told the delay is because there are no guides there. But we don't want any further setbacks at this stage. I'll be happy if there's no further delays, and the landings can start on Tuesday." The Skellig Coast Tourism Network, which represents 120 businesses in the spectacular region, said its members were furious at the latest postponement to the start of the season, which it described as "another three vital days lost during an already short summer season". The OPW has been approached for comment. Read More Tourists in Albufeira face fines in crackdown on nudity and drunken behaviour
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The incredible island with amazing temples, 60ft statues, exotic safari wildlife and mouth-watering spicy food
ALMOST an hour into our dawn safari in Sri Lanka, we spot the leopard. Except, sadly, I don't. The driver points into the bush after screeching our Jeep to a halt along a dusty, pot-holed track deep in Wilpattu National Park. 8 One of our reporters recently visited the breathtaking country of Sri Lanka Credit: Journalist Collect 8 This beauty spot is one of Asia's most underrated travel destinations Credit: Getty Images - Getty 8 It is home to some of the world's most lush landscapes Credit: Getty Images - Getty But, still half asleep in the rush to leave our And the notoriously elusive big cat is so well camouflaged in the undergrowth 20 yards away that I can't make out a thing. Still, my disappointment vanishes a few minutes later. For there, grubbing around in the grass almost within touching distance, is a large sloth bear. Our guide Dhanushka (or Danny, as we call him) warned us these rare creatures are almost impossible to spot in the READ MORE IN TRAVEL Yet for several minutes this one happily feasts on a termite mound then, with a satisfied belch, ambles off into the woods. A moment of pure magic. But then virtually everything we see and experience in Sri Lanka is rather magical. Looking back, it's hard to decide the best part about my visit to this teardrop-shaped island in the Indian There are so many highlights. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN The stunning scenery, ranging from majestic mountains to sun-kissed palm-tree-fringed sandy Then there are the amazing Buddhist and Hindu temples dotted throughout the landscape, with giant colourful statues of deities. GoPlaces show aerial views over the picturesque sights of Sri Lanka One outside Koneswaram Temple, by the sea in Trincomalee, looks a dead ringer for the late rocker Freddie Mercury. The delicious spicy Some vegetarian dishes, with exotic fruit and veg you don't see back home, are so mouth-wateringly good I could happily give up meat for life. And, of course, there are the eight Unesco World Heritage sites, like the cave complex in a forest at Dambulla where Buddhists have worshipped for 5,000 years. 8 And there's even exotic animals roaming free throughout its parks Credit: Getty Images - Getty 8 This island nation will surpass all of your expectations Credit: Journalist Collect We cram into one cave to hear a monk in orange robes explain how humans 'have monkey minds which are always distracting'. Then he tries to teach us meditation techniques so we can relax and concentrate. Apparently, this will enhance our intellectual abilities while conquering negative emotions like stress and anger. Equally stunning is the ancient city of Sigiriya, which can only be reached by climbing 1,202 steps zig-zagging up the 200ft high granite peak, Lion's Rock. It's a wonderful view from the top, but sadly it starts to rain and we get drenched climbing down. Naturally, there is the exotic Exotic wildlife Deer scamper nervously away as you drive through the 27 National Parks, while red slender lorises hang upside down in trees. Crocodiles bask in the mud by the rivers, and huge blue whales cavort in the sea beside dolphins. Nearly 5,000 elephants roam the country, and not just in the National Parks. One morning we run into a jumbo traffic jam after a bunch of them decide to hold a pow-wow on the highway. No one can pass until the biggest But in the end, the thing that really makes Sri Lanka special for me is the people. A friendlier, kinder, more welcoming nation would be difficult to find. Everybody greets you with a smile and the respectful Namaste sign — hands pressed together as if in prayer followed by a slight bow. Little wonder, then, some people believe Sri Lanka is the original Garden of Eden and that Adam and Eve were banished from here to India, just 30 miles away across the Gulf of Mannar. Danny, a font of wisdom about Sri Lanka, explains: 'Ours is a living culture. We still do the same things we did 2,000 years ago.' Paddy fields Which is why one day I find myself bouncing around on a rickety old cart being pulled by two bullocks down a dirt track. We trundle past paddy fields and tea plantations to Hiriwadunna Lake before being rowed to a village where local women prepare a traditional curry lunch. And as we leave our catamaran, the boatman grabs a lotus leaf and fashions it into a makeshift hat to keep the sun off my head. There is nothing old-fashioned, though, about the hotels we stay in — apart from, perhaps, the hospitality. They are ultra-modern and superb, especially the Jetwing chain, which prides itself on pioneering sustainable tourism. Two years ago the Irish Galle, a picturesque little town in the south of the island, is certainly worth a visit. It's surrounded by the remains of a 17th century fort built by the Dutch after they kicked out the original Not that the fortifications did them much good. Some 100 years later the Brits arrived and, in turn, sent the Dutch packing. A few miles up the road there is a moving memorial to the tsunami which devastated the country on St Stephen's Day in 2004. Lots of historical sites A 60ft statue of the Buddha has been built to the same height as the huge wave that swept a crowded train off the tracks here, killing all 1,500 on board. Altogether more than 40,000 As we leave a museum, Danny tosses his half-eaten sandwich to a hungry dog scavenging nearby. He explains: 'As Buddhists we believe in karma. If you don't do good deeds, your next life may not be a good one.' See what I mean about the wonderful Sri Lankan people? One morning in a small bay near Galle I spot some fisherman unloading their catch. Painted along the hull of their boat are the words: 'Love the Life'. Says it all about Sri Lanka. 8 There are tours to ancient cities high up in the mountains Credit: Journalist Collect 8 You will see some of the most stunning monuments and temples Credit: Getty Images - Getty 8 Wild-life spotting is must-do when in Sri Lanka Credit: Journalist Collect
