Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael, or Great Skellig, is the larger of the two Skellig Islands about 8 miles from the Irish Coast of County Kerry. The name “Skellig” comes from a Gaelic word meaning “rock in the sea.” Within 100 years of the death of Saint Patrick, a Christian monastery was established there as a place of Christian isolation, learning, and protection. The monastery remained in continual use until it was abandoned in the late 12th century.
Most of the island and the ruins of the monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The Skellig Islands are also considered important nesting grounds for rare species of birds. It’s not easy to get to Skellig Michael. Only a few boat operators have permits and there is only a few-month window in the summer when the weather cooperates. Even then, trips to the island are cancelled if the seas are too rough.
Skellig Michael has two distinct peaks, connected by a flat, center part knows as “Christ’s Saddle.” Each peak is associated with an awesome archaeological site, both of which are a testament to the amazing engineering skills of the monks.
The first site is this main monastery, built right into the steep slope on the east side of the island. The monastery complex includes a main church, smaller chapels, graveyard, garden, water cisterns, and these famous beehive huts for living quarters.
The monastery is only assessable by three sets of steps, which come right out of the sea. The monks created three routes — known as the East, South, and North Steps – so they could have access during different weather conditions. As you can imagine, this place gets very nasty – even inaccessible — during the dark winter months. Today, only the South Steps are open to visitors. The South and North Steps meet here at Christ’s Saddle and continue as one to the monastery.
The second main archaeological feature on the island is the hermitage, located just below the south peak. Visitors can take Christ’s Saddle to access the hermitage, which is comprised of a small chapel and three terraces built right into the rocks.
Historian Kenneth Clark writes:
It is hard to believe that for quite a long time – almost a hundred years – western Christianity survived by clinging to places like Skellig Michael, a pinnacle of rock [eight] miles from the Irish coast, rising seven hundred feet out of the sea.”
The hundred years of which he speaks stretch from the late fifth century, after Patrick’s death, to the late sixth century, by which time Irish monks had reconnected barbarized Europe to the texts and traditions of Christianity.
Skellig Michael represents an awesome era, when monks in secluded places helped preserve Christianity and its biblical manuscripts. After the Roman Empire collapsed and the European continent fell into chaos, the pagan island once known as Hibernia stepped-up and almost single-handedly preserved the foundations of Western Civilization.
Skellig Michael
Randall acts as the lead writer for ColdWater’s Drive Thru History® TV series and Drive Thru History® “Adventures” curriculum.
Leave a Reply