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RTÉ News
23-05-2025
- RTÉ News
Boat owners protest over access to Sceilg Mhichíl
James Murphy, Chairperson of of Skellig Coast Tourism Network, discusses a new protest by boat owners in a legal row over licences that is preventing access to the world famous Sceilg Mhichíl.
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Protest held over closure of Sceilg Mhichíl to visitors
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.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Skellig standoff poses threat to livelihoods in Kerry, tourism chief warns
Tourism chiefs have urged officials to issue boat operators with temporary permits to resolve a dispute threatening to destroy the visitor season to Skellig Michael. The UNESCO world heritage site off the Kerry coast was closed to tourists for the scheduled start of the season over the weekend due to a legal dispute over the awarding of landing permits. It's feared access to the spectacular monastic outpost - which featured in two Star Wars movies - is likely to remain suspended until late June due to the timing of a judicial review. The OPW is facing separate High Court challenges from three boat operators who were unsuccessful in the recent competition run by the State body to award permits. While the proceedings are active, the OPW insists it cannot legally issue landing permits for the current season, unless the court directs otherwise. Last summer, 15,762 visitors spent just under €2 million to visit Skellig Michael. James Murphy, chairperson of the Skellig Coast Tourism Network, said: 'The failure to confirm permits for the 2025 season risks serious and lasting damage to businesses, livelihoods and Ireland's reputation as a world-class tourism destination. 'Every single business in the region will be affected by this delay, and the effects will be felt throughout Kerry. 'Tourists who had booked trips over to Skellig Michael are already cancelling their trips and changing their plans. It's a disaster and I fear businesses will be forced to close down because of this.' 'We need the OPW to stop digging their heels in, and come down and talk to us and get this sorted.' Last Wednesday, the OPW lodged a motion before the High Court seeking permission 'to issue boat operator permits for Summer 2025 to the successful applicants in a recent competition'. It added: 'The OPW is acutely aware of the key role the island plays in the tourism economy of south Kerry.' A source close to one boat operator said: 'The only way round this that I can see is for the OPW to issue temporary permits to the applicants who were successful in the competition, so we can get the season underway.'
The Journal
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Skellig Michael landing permits are not issued despite the season beginning next week
DELAYS IN ISSUING of landing permits on Skellig Michael for the upcoming summer season could lead to a 'lasting damage' to tourism in the area. James Murphy, Chairperson of the Skellig Coast Tourism Network (SCTN), said they 'urgently' need the government to issue the permits, as it would put businesses and the community at 'serious risk.' 'The failure to confirm permits for the 2025 season risks serious and lasting damage to businesses, livelihoods, and Ireland's reputation as a world-class tourism destination,' he added. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has said that a legal issue related to the permits is ongoing. 'This competition is now subject to legal proceedings and as such the Office of Public Works cannot comment,' the agency said. The island was scheduled to open 10 May, but the operators remain without the necessary permits. Advertisement Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with early Christian monastic foundations dating to the seventh century. It is located about 12 km south off the coast of Bolus Head in County Kerry. The island also featured in the recent Star Wars trilogy. To visit the island, landing permits are issued to boats to bring visitors to Skellig. In previous years, the landing permits were limited to 15 operators that could bring a maximum of 180 visitors to the island daily. SCTN, which represents 120 tourism businesses across south Kerry, said there has been no 'clarity' for the 2025 season, which has lead to 'widespread alarm' amoung businesses and visitors. The organisation warned that the delays could lead to disruption in the bookings to visit the island, financial damage to businesses in the region, and 'reputational harm' to Ireland in the global tourism market. Paul Devane, Owner of Skellig Michael Cruises, one of the 15 operators, said it would be 'detrimental' for the area if they were not permitted to bring people to the island. 'It's big for the local economy, lots of businesses are dependent [on the boats].' He also said that even without the landing permits, they can take people in ferries to see the island, but they cannot land to allow people to walk on the island. Making the journey to the island by boat is a weather dependent activity. Devane said there's an average of 90 days a year that the boats can bring visitors to the island. 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
