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Skellig Michael PA Archive/PA Images

Skellig Michael to get over 150 extra visitors a day after jump in boat permits

Skellig islands are expected to get an additional 150 visitors a day due to a boost in number of licensed boats.

A LOT MORE Star Wars fans will be able to visit Skellig Michael this year due to an increase in boating permits for the islands.

Under a new scheme, an additional 13 boating permits have been introduced – increasing the number of permits from two to 15. This will have a knock-on effect on the number of tourists able to visit the site, with the OPW predicting around 180 tourists a day to visit the historic site.

The permits are in demand – last year, the OPW received a total of 15 applications for the two permits available.

A total of 22 applications were received this year, an increase of seven applications on last year.

It is understood the permits can be held for up to three years. Each boat will be able to hold 12 passengers.

The Last Jedi

The islands, which are situated off the coast of Kerry saw a huge boost in global interest after they were featured in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – due for release this Christmas – is the last time the heritage site will be featured in the blockbuster franchise.

Star Wars / YouTube

Since Skellig Michael hit the big screen, fans have flocked to visit the small island, which is home to a former monastery and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tapping in on the increased attention, Fáilte Ireland also launched a new plan for the Skellig Coast in a bid to capitalise on the massive interest generated by the Star Wars movies.

However, with just two permits in operation the number of visitors to the island in recent years has been limited.

Due to the increased popularity of the islands, the Office of Public Works (OPW) decided to introduce a new permit scheme earlier this year in a bid to stop unauthorised landings on Skellig Michael.

In addition, concerns around health and safety resulted in the OPW deciding to “progressively withdraw” the existing permit scheme which had been in operation since the early 1990s.

Skellig Michael renovation work View of Skellig Michael PA Archive / PA Images PA Archive / PA Images / PA Images

In a statement to the TheJournal.ie, the OPW said each permit allows the registered boat to carry a maximum of 12 visitors per day to the islands. A spokesperson added:

Assuming a full complement of 15 boats, this equates to a maximum of 180 visitors per day, weather permitting.

Read: Stunning shots of Skellig Michael feature in new Star Wars trailer>

Read: Lonely Planet names Skellig Ring as top destination for 2017>

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23 Comments
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    Mute Jamie Roche
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    Apr 25th 2017, 6:28 AM

    10 years time…..Centra, Paddy Power, Boots & €2 shop… .

    146
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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Apr 25th 2017, 8:32 AM

    Subway?

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    Mute kevin
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    Apr 25th 2017, 1:58 PM

    @Shawn O’Ceallaghan: supermacs

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    Mute Jack Cassady
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    Apr 25th 2017, 6:52 AM

    Forget our cultural heritage.
    Forget history.
    Time to start building on Skellig Michael.
    The demand is there.

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    Mute UpThereAndHereAsWell
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    Apr 25th 2017, 7:44 AM

    @Jack Cassady: No

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    Mute Veron Skvortsova
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    Apr 25th 2017, 7:58 AM

    Wait until another dope takes a tumble down the steps. Chrome hand rails and signage will be demanded.

    53
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    Mute Porterkev
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    Apr 25th 2017, 8:12 AM

    @Veron Skvortsova: people have fallen, and there have been a couple of deaths there. An American tourist died in a fall about 8 years ago.

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    Mute Veron Skvortsova
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    Apr 25th 2017, 2:43 PM

    @Porterkev: I know. And the laws of Darwinism should apply to these people rather than modifying the island.

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    Mute Anthony Mulcahy
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    Apr 25th 2017, 6:25 AM

    Someone should open a shop there…. There could be tens of euros to be made off that influx of tourists

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    Mute Andy K
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    Apr 25th 2017, 7:03 AM

    @Anthony Mulcahy: A smarter way is to offer a ryanair type fare:

    Only 1.99 to see Skellig Michael!

    (50 euro return. You want a seat which is out of the water thats an extra 20. Bags at 7 euro per kilo. No other foods and drink allowed, etc)

    22
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    Mute Soupy Norman
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    Apr 25th 2017, 8:28 AM

    I found the whole Skellig experience to be rather chaotic and unstructured. Boats are operated independently, you get no briefing on the the physical strain that waits you so elderly and young kids have their money taken even though they may not be able to make the climb.

    Once on the rock you’re told to be back at the dock at ‘x’ time and as there are so many boats you must be there however we were told in a think Kerry accent which I could decipher however the 10 other Danish tourists just smiled vacantly and nodded. Course they we’re no where to be seen at collection time and we held up about 7 other boats.

    The opportunity is there to make it as ‘all in’ experience. Have an interpretation centre where you can pay and get a briefing on what awaits and everyone gets a boat from a specified location (not wander onto the dock asking for the right one), to be fair there are great guides at the top who speak about the history and the place itself is truly magical but there really is a half-arsedness about the whole operation.

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    Mute Kay Curtin
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    Apr 25th 2017, 9:56 AM

    @Soupy Norman: there already is a visitor centre it’s on Valentina Island just over the bridge good exhibitions it states on all signage I saw trip was not suitable for young children or elderly as steps are open and maybe be slippery also no toilet facilities for about 6 hours is enough to put many off

    18
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    Mute Veron Skvortsova
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    Apr 25th 2017, 2:46 PM

    @Kay Curtin: Dont worry Kay, little Timmy can go to the toilet over there in one of those huts. He just needs to hurry.

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    Mute brian magee
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    Apr 25th 2017, 7:04 AM

    Turf powered lightsabres..

    16
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    Mute EC P Ford
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    Apr 25th 2017, 9:52 AM

    Another Kerry rip off

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    Mute Fred Jensen
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    Apr 25th 2017, 10:33 AM

    I wonder is that just the tip of a giant Everest sized mountain.

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    Mute Paul Foot
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    Apr 25th 2017, 10:58 AM

    @Fred Jensen: What’s Everest (almost 30,000 ft) got to with anything – this little Rock is just over 700 ft!?

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    Mute Fred Jensen
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    Apr 25th 2017, 11:14 AM

    @Paul Foot:

    Under the water.

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    Mute Finn Mc Cool
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    Apr 25th 2017, 5:04 PM

    The next thing will be renting out the book of Kells for your weekend browsing.
    Skellig Michael is too precious to be traipsing on.

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    Mute Ger Healy
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    Apr 25th 2017, 1:19 PM

    Has to be on the bucket list….

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    Mute Awkward Seal
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    Apr 25th 2017, 8:48 AM

    A bit late in the year to make this announcement

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    Mute Guybrush Threepwood
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    Apr 25th 2017, 7:05 PM

    Everytime somebody refers to it as ‘Skellig Michael’, an angel gets shot down from heaven. True story.

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    Mute Peter Martin
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    Apr 26th 2017, 3:59 AM

    So, handrails are out, not acceptable, spoil the ambience ethos or whatever your having yourself. But, build a house ,install a staircase without a rail and you will not get planning permission. Hand rails save lives. Simple as. THREE people have fallen to their deaths here. More will follow. Then, maybe a simple handrail will be installed. Not holding my breath considering the comments here and elsewhere.
    ,

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