This App is designed with the Traveller/Pilgrim in mind. It is almost impossible to visit the Skelligs and not be struck by its sheer beauty and remoteness.The Skelligs is such an Iconic place with so many different stories to tell.
We hope to enhance the visitors experience by telling them some of these stories, but also leaving a space for them to have their own story, once they have completed the voyage.
What are the stories associated with this majestic place.
You have the Birdlife which fills the sky, sea and land with colour and noise, like the 75,000 gannets which have colonised the Small Skelligs or the Puffins who defy the rules of gravity and manage to fly in their thousands to this remote spot year on year.
For most of the travellers, the puffin is their favourite. But, take time to watch the Manx shearwater glide effortlessly over the white sea-caps on your way to and from the Skelligs or look closely at the Razorbill and see the beautiful black and white colouring of his beak. There is a large variety of birds waiting to be discovered by you.
The Lighthouses, show the amazing achievement and dedication of George Halpin, who over-saw their building from inception right through to completion when they finally lit the lantern on the Upper Lighthouse in December 1826.
We document the history of the lighthouses for the visitor.
But, the most amazing story of this remote rock perched out on the Wild Atlantic has to be the story of the monks. They first brought this place to life and created a place of homage to God and a home for themselves 600 ft above the Ocean in the 6th Century.
As always, when looking back, we ask the questions, who were they? where did they come from? and what were they thinking? was this some form of escape for them?
Many of these questions we can only speculate on as there is very little written reports in history about the Skelligs. But we can use our imagination when listening to the guides on the Island as they try and recreate the history of this monastery.
But then why and when did they leave it? We are told around the 12 century, but are we sure?
Read what the archaeologists have said about the Monastery as they try and fill in all of those lost years
Todays history is well documented as we now see the Skelligs hit the Big Screen as the location for Star War films.
The making of these films was of major interest to the international media. Once the story broke that the film in production at the Skelligs was part of a Star Wars trilogy, the Skelligs Area was the attention of the world press for a couple of weeks
Read about the experiences of the boatmen who were instrumental in making this movie happen, because without their co-operation it would not have been possible.
The film crew and stars were amazed that they had been given permission to film in this special location.
They showed their appreciation by their respect while filming on the Skelligs
Our hope is that this app will bring a greater understanding of this amazing UNESCO World Heritage site and allow the traveller to enjoy the Skelligs, which for most will be a once in a lifetime Experience.