Page 171 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

C ORK AND KERR Y  169

settled for solitude on Skellig
Michael during the 6th cen tury,
building a cluster of six corbelled
bee hive cells and two boat-
shaped oratories. These dry-stone
structures are still standing.
The monks were self-sufficient,
trading eggs, feathers and seal
meat with passing boats in return
for cereals, tools and animal
skins. The skins were needed to
produce the vellum on which Gannets flying around the precipitous cliffs of Little Skellig
the monks copied their religious
manuscripts. They remained on Closer to the main land is Little plant cover and archaeological
this bleak island until the 12th Skellig. Covering an area of 7 ha remains. Atlantic gales
century, when they retreated (17 acres), the island has steep permitting, there are boat tours
to the Augus tinian priory at cliffs. Home to a variety of sea around the islands. Private
Ballinskelligs on the mainland. birds, it has one of the largest operators also run unofficial
Today the only residents on colonies of gannets (about trips to the islands from
Skellig Michael are the thou sands 22,000 breeding pairs) in the Portmagee or Ballinskelligs
of sea birds which nest and breed world. Giant basking sharks, during the summertime.
on the high cliffs, including storm dolphins and turtles can also be Despite objections from
petrels, puffins and Manx shear- seen here. Except for a pier on conservationists, Skellig Michael
waters. The breeding colonies Skellig Michael, there are no was used as a filming location
are protected from predators landing stages on the islands. for Star Wars: The Force Awakens
by the sea and rocky shores. This is to discourage visitors (2015), as well as for the follow-
from disturb ing the wildlife, up Star Wars: Episode VIII (2017).
N70 Tralee 2 Killorglin
This pretty village, sitting on the slopes above 1 Killarney
a river, is famous for its Puck Fair (see p53). Visitors touring the Ring
of Kerry usually start and
N72
finish here. The route
Laune
Lough passes lovely views of
Caragh N22 the Lakes of Killarney
Lakes of Cork
Killarney (see pp166–7).
M A C G I L L Y C U D D Y ’S R E E K S

N71
8 Moll’s Gap
Cutting through
bleak bogland
and high
R568 Kenmare • mountainous
terrain, Moll’s
N71 Gap offers some
Bantry stunning views.
J
N70
7 Sneem
Brightly painted cottages line the
streets of this charming town which Tips for Drivers
also has a quaint village green.
Length: 180 km (112 miles).
6 Staigue Fort Stopping-off points: Many
Set on a hill up a narrow towns such as Killorglin and
track, this Iron Age, dry- Cahirciveen offer pub snacks.
stone fort (caher) is the 0 kilometres 10 Finish the day in one of the
best preserved in Ireland. excellent gourmet restaurants in
0 miles 5 Kenmare (see also pp365–7).

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