New hope for Skellig tourism: Island reopens for the first time since 2019

For almost two years, tourists were unable to visit Skellig Michael. This month, Noel Sweeney was among the first to return to the island 

Guide Nealie Lyne and his daughter Cornelia. Nealie is the only skipper offering tours to have lived and worked on the Skelligs. Pictures: Noel Sweeney

It's July 1. Three boats leave Portmagee to land on Skellig Michael every 45 minutes. Each of the 15 boats, all carrying 12 passengers across from Portmagee Marina, is fully booked. The world heritage site was off-limits throughout 2020 so today will see the first tourists land there since September 2019.

The sky is overcast, temperatures are warm and the seas calm. A waitress says it’s relatively quiet around.