The Office of Public Works (OPW) may extend the visitor season to Skellig Michael, the UNESCO world heritage site off the coast of Kerry. The island is currently open from May to October each year, and will close to visitors today.
The review is to get underway immediately and represents a change of heart by the OPW - an extension to the season was firmly ruled out as recently as August.
The Skellig closes to visitors on Tuesday, October 3rd, after a fundraising event that allows the island’s boatmen to operate a special landing for charities.
Demand for access to the 6th century monastic site has been unprecedented since scenes were filmed on top of the Skellig for the latest Star Wars movies. Boatmen and local politicians have been lobbying to extend the season from April to November. They say this is to accommodate weather conditions, allowing them some leeway for days when they cannot undertake the 40 minute journey from the mainland.
Until recently the OPW , which manages the island, refused point blank to consider the proposal. In August, Minsiter of State for the OPW Kevin Moran rejected a request from local councillor Michael Cahill, on behalf of the boatmen.
The heritage site could not allow an “ever-expanding increase “ and for that reason the OPW “will not be changing the current limits on either boat numbers and passengers and the length of the season,” Mr Moran wrote to the Fianna Fail councillor for South and West Kerry.
However the position seems to have changed since August and a spokesman now says the length of the visitor season is in fact under review.
“The Minister of State at the OPW has recently asked officials to review the length of the visitor season at Skellig Michael,” the spokesman said.
The review is to be carried out immediately.
“Arrangements are being made currently to carry out the review and a decision is to be announced by the end of October, early November,” he added.
In 2016, almost 14,700 people landed on Skellig Michael – some 3,500 more than the numbers considered sustainable in the current UNESCO approved management plan for the island .
The OPW said the 2016 figure was “exceptional” and due to good weather during the mid-May to October visitor season.
However if the rise continues, there would be concern about the Skellig’s ability to absorb such numbers, it said in response to questions.
Recently there have been calls for a large public car park for Portmagee, the main departure point for the Skelligs and the council was to approach Lucas
Lucasfilms/Star Wars for a contribution.
All money raised from the passengers on Tuesday’s trips will donated to Temple Street Hospital, Hugh’s House and The Bumbleance.