The news that Skellig Michael is to remain closed for summer 2020 is disappointing but understandable given the current pandemic according to local boatmen.
Skellig Michael to stay closed to visitors until 2021; Breaking News
Officials found it would not be possible to safely resume trips to the Unesco world heritage site, which lies 12km off the Co Kerry coast.
Source: Skellig Michael to stay closed to visitors until 2021
Skellig Michael may now reopen next month as OPW in talks with boatmen; Anne Lucey; Independent
Skellig Michael, which has been closed for the summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic, may now reopen to visitors next month.
Source: Skellig Michael may now reopen next month as OPW in talks with boatmen
Newgrange remains may be offspring of incestuous union amongst social elite; John Donohoe; Meath Chronicle
World Heritage sites race to adapt to a warming planet; Leanna Wigboldus & Irene Fogarty; Irish Times
The effects of climate change could damage, and possibly even destroy, our collective heritage…
Source: World Heritage sites race to adapt to a warming planet
The 5 best Skellig Islands tours, according to reviews; Jade Poleon; Ireland Before You Die
The Skellig Islands tours are one of the best Irish attractions for both foreign visitors and the Irish people themselves, so Jade Poleon has ranked the five best tours of the mystical islands according to reviews. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Skellig Michael and the Skellig Islands have always been a ‘wow’ factor for anyone visiting Ireland, and even for the Irish themselves.
Source: The 5 best Skellig Islands tours, according to reviews
From mystical tombs to Samhain festivities – why Boyne Valley is the real home of Halloween; Irish Examiner
Sophie Goodall learns about Ireland’s brand-new Púca Festival, set to knock pumpkins off their pedestals.
Source: From mystical tombs to Samhain festivities – why Boyne Valley is the real home of Halloween
Why it’s Worth the Boat Trip to the Skellig Islands; Leigh McAdam; Hike Bike Travel
The Skellig Islands, a UNESCO site accessed by boat only 100 days/year are worth the crazy boat ride to see the gannet colony & the beehive huts…
Immense timber structure found at ‘sacred’ Newgrange site during summer drought; Ronan McGreevy; Irish Times
Newgrange discoveries have ‘truly transformed’ our understanding of ancient site…
Source: Immense timber structure found at ‘sacred’ Newgrange site during summer drought
Secrets of Ireland’s ancient passage tomb Knowth published free online; Irish Central
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the world-renowned Eastern Tomb at Knowth, the Royal Irish Academy is publishing six books on the excavation, online, for free.
Source: Secrets of Ireland’s ancient passage tomb Knowth published free online
In Photos: Ireland’s Newgrange Passage Tomb and Henge; Tom Melcalfe; Live Science
A drone flyby has revealed a huge Neolithic henge near a passage tomb at Newgrange in Ireland.
Source: In Photos: Ireland’s Newgrange Passage Tomb and Henge
The Last Jedi’s Monastic Retreat; Julia Blakely; Smithsonian Libraries Unbound
Newgrange: Watch a live stream of the spectacular winter solstice; Pól Ó Conghaile; Independent
For the first time ever, people all over the world can watch sunlight creep into Newgrange passage tomb on winter solstice.
Weather-permitting, of course (clouds are forecast).
A live stream organised by the OPW and Fáílte Ireland will broadcast the moment when the 5,000-year-old tomb’s internal chamber is lit up (#Solstice2017).
You can watch it live (below) from 8.30am on Thursday, December 21.
The annual event, which sees sunlight enter the roofbox of the Co. Meath tomb and light up its inner chamber over the course of around 17 minutes, is simulated for all visitors to Newgrange – but only a lucky few get to see the real deal.
Each year, the OPW runs a Winter Solstice Lottery – in 2017, it says, over 33,000 people applied from as far afield as Austria, Italy and the US.
Skellig Michael by helicopter: A galaxy not so far away; Erin McCafferty; Independent
It looks so peaceful from above. A giant, pointy, rock formation in varying hues of grey and green, rising majestically from the Atlantic.
Rugged Irish islands contend with the Force; Wes Little; CNN
Thanks to the giant advertisement that is “Star Wars,” Ireland’s ruggedly beautiful Skellig Islands feel the Force of tourism.
Photographer’s Guide to Skellig Islands; Bastian Bodyl; Improve Photography
This guide should help you to go to the photographer’s paradise of the Skellig Islands and gives you a few tips when you are there. The Skellig islands are tow rocks in the sea 12 km from the coast of Ireland has become really popular since they have filmed parts of the Star Wars films there.
Star Wars at 40: How Kerry became the centre of a galaxy far, far away; Greg Murphy; Irish Examiner
In 1977 we were introduced to Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia for the first time. To mark 40 years of Star Wars, Greg Murphy took a trip to Skellig Michael (aka the planet Ahch-To), set to take centre stage again.
Newgrange: Ireland’s amazing feat of Stone Age engineering; Maureen O’Hare; CNN
Newgrange passage tomb is one of the earliest and greatest feats of solar alignment, built 1,000 years before Stonehenge. Viewers can see it by lottery only.
Source: Newgrange: Ireland’s amazing feat of Stone Age engineering
Ancient tomb’s awesome astrological light show draws crowds; RT
An astounding display of astrological genius by the ancient Irish – best showcased by the once-a-year illumination of a giant prehistoric tomb – has been scuppered by bad weather.
The highly-anticipated 5,000-year-old sun ritual, which occurs annually on the shortest day of the year (December 21), sees a beam of light travel up the burial monument’s narrow passageway before lighting up its main chamber for 17 minutes.
However, the majesty of Newgrange – an engineering masterpiece and a focal point in Ireland’s rich tapestry of mythology – is still weather-dependent. Overcast skies and rain meant the light show never came to pass.
The Newgrange passage tomb in County Meath is one of Ireland’s greatest known historical monuments, and was due to take center stage on Wednesday.
