Welcome to the Skellig Coast
The Skellig Coast stretches from Kells to Castlecove along the Iveragh Peninsula on the Ring of Kerry. Discover the fascinating story of the railway line that once carried passengers and goods all the way to Valentia Harbour. The Railway That Once Reached Valentia Harbour The region has a long history as a place of learning, from the early monks who settled on the Skelligs to the students who travel here today to learn English and take part in cultural and outdoor programmes.
Discover the artistry and tradition of handcrafted leather goods in Sneem with a closer look at the life of a local artisan. The Life Of A Leather Worker In Sneem Eight villages and towns make up the Skellig Coast: Ballinskelligs, Caherdaniel, Cahersiveen, Dromid, Foilmore & Kells, Portmagee, Valentia Island, and Waterville.
- Ballinskelligs
- Caherdaniel
- Cahersiveen
- Dromid
- Foilmore & Kells
- Portmagee
- Valentia Island
- Waterville
Our Villages & Towns
Explore the Villages
Discover the vibrant wildflowers and orchids that bloom along the Skellig Coast. Our guide A Guide to the Wildflowers and Orchids of the Skellig Coast offers a detailed overview of these native species and where to find them. Each community along the coast, from Ballinskelligs to Waterville, has its own character and charm — coastal towns, island communities, and quiet inland villages set within the wider Skellig Coast landscape.
Our Learning Hubs
A Place of Learning
Learning centres and cultural hubs on the Skellig Coast have included the Amergin Poetry Festival, Asana School of English, Cill Rialiag, the Daniel O Connell Summer School, Éigse na Brídeoige, Kells Bay House & Gardens, SMARTlab, Tech Amergin, The Mitchell Scholarship, The O'Connell Centre, the Learning Landscapes Symposium, and Sea Synergy. The O'Connell Centre on Carhan Road, Cahersiveen, offered PLC courses in Tourism with Business (Level 5 and Level 6).
What's On Along the Coast
Music, comedy film, summer schools, cycling, and outdoor learning — the Skellig Coast has hosted a varied calendar of community events.
View EventsCommunity Events
Cahersiveen Festival of Music & the Arts
Held annually in Cahersiveen town on the August Bank Holiday Weekend — the Friday, Saturday and Sunday before the first Monday of August. It was in its 24th year in 2019, taking place August 2–4, 2019.
Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival
Held annually in Waterville with the patronage of Josephine Chaplin, honouring the life and work of the comedian. The 2019 festival ran August 23–25.
The Mike Murphy Memorial Cycle
A fundraising cycle to erect a memorial to the late Mike "Iron-Man" Murphy, winner of the 1958 Rás Tailteann. The 2019 event was scheduled for August 31, 10:00 am–5:00 pm.
Iveragh Learning Landscapes
A weekend of talks, walks, and workshops on outdoor education, place-based learning, land management, and nature connection. The 2019 event ran October 11 (5:30 pm) to October 14 (3:30 pm) in Waterville.
Other listed events include the Daniel O Connell Summer School at Derrynane and the Cahersiveen Races.
Skellig Michael
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage site off the Skellig Coast, known for its early monastic settlement and its appearance as a filming location for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
News from the Coast
Stories and articles from the Skellig Coast have covered Skellig Michael's role in Star Wars, the Skellig VSMM Conference (27–29 October 2017), the history of the Transatlantic Cable, Seine Boats, Daniel O'Connell, and astronomy at the Vatican.
About & People
The Skellig Coast website covers the region's heritage and community, including learning centres such as SMARTlab, whose founder is Prof Goodman. PhD students and researchers associated with SMARTlab on the Skellig Coast have included Dr. Anita McKeown, Vincent Hyland, Lucy Hunt, and Eleanor Turner.
This site was designed and developed by Colm McGill.