Protest held over closure of Sceilg Mhichíl to visitors

RTÉ News​

22-05-2025

A protest has taken place in Co Kerry over the continued closure of Sceilg Mhichíl to visitors.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site remains closed to visitors due to a legal dispute with the Office of Public Works (OPW) over the issuing of permits to boat operators.
This evening, boatmen supported by over 150 local people gathered on the pier in Portmagee to express their anger at the continued closure of the monastic site.
The protest was organised by the Skellig Coast Tourism Network which represents over 120 businesses on the Iveragh peninsula.
A flotilla of boats also steamed to Sceilg Mhichíl and engaged in a further symbolic protest at the 6th century monastic outpost.
Boat trips to land visitors at the UNESCO World Heritage Site were expected to commence two weeks ago, but legal proceedings have been taken by a number of boat operators in relation to the OPW 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 significantly reduces the number of days when it's possible to land.
The process of issuing landing permits for Sceilg Mhichíl has been stalled due to a High Court challenge which is centred on a public competition which was held in awarding this season's permits.
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 boat operators have raised concerns in relation to the criteria and nature of the tendering process and have brought their cases before the High Court.
Skellig Coast Tourism Network says businesses on the Iveragh peninsula are suffering due to the continued closure of the iconic rock.
Chairman of the community organisation, James Murphy, is calling on the OPW to act immediately.
He said: "The local economy is being really affected by the shutdown. We're seeing a load of cancellations. B and Bs, restaurants, shops, visitor experiences, pubs, they're all being affected.
"This delay is devastating—not just financially, but emotionally, This is the time of year we should be welcoming visitors from around the world. Instead, we're losing them."
Anne Healy who runs a B and B on Valentia Island said the situation on Sceilg is a cause of embarrassment for the people of south Kerry.
She said: "I have people who travel from all over the world staying. They come to see the Sceilg. It's on their bucket list. I had people who stayed with me last week who had travelled from America and Canada to visit the Sceilg. They were not impressed and were very angry at this situation.
"There isn't another world heritage site in the world that doesn't know the opening and closing date. Every year there is some reason for a delay and it's just not acceptable."
A boatman who did not wish to be named said that individual boat operators are reluctant to speak out as they fear it may impact negatively on their prospects of securing a permit in the future.
"All the boatman are standing together on this. We are united here. The three lads taking the case are fully entitled to take the case and we all support them. What the OPW are doing to us is nothing short of a disgrace. They must issue the licenses," said the boatman.
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty said that solutions to remedy the situation have "fallen on deaf ears".
She said: "What's really frustrating is the three boatmen who've taken the judicial review have offered what I consider as fair an offer as you could possibly make.
They have told the OPW they are willing to step aside for this season, allow the successful 15 applicants to operate, once there is a new competition at the end of it. That is as fair as you could possibly offer.
Minister of State Michael Healy Rae told the gathering in Portmagee that he had raised the issue with Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran and that he hoped this issue could be resolved as quickly as possible.
In a statement, the OPW said it has lodged a motion with the High Court to issue licences for the 2025 season.
It said: "The OPW is acutely aware of the key role the Island plays in the tourism economy of South Kerry and the wider region. In an attempt to resolve the situation, the OPW has been making urgent applications to the High Court requesting permission to lift the injunction in place (also known as a suspension).
"If the injunction/suspension is lifted, this will enable the OPW to issue permits to the 15 applicants who were successful in the competition, on the terms advertised in the competition. No permit can be issued until the High Court gives permission to do so or unless the proceedings are settled."
The OPW motion to lift the suspension is set to be heard in the High Court on 3 or 4 of June.
Last year, a public competition for licences was also 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.