Ferry operators pile pressure on Mansergh to extend Skellig season
Ferry operators who take upwards of 11,000 tourists per year to Skellig Michael, 12km off the south Kerry coast, say proposals to reduce the season will adversely affect their livelihoods and the local economy.
Mr Mansergh has responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), which wants the season to start on May 25 and continue until the end of September.
The ferrymen, who met Kerry politicians on the issue at the weekend, are lobbying for the season to open on April 1 and run until the end of October.
But the OPW, which is adamant that no visitors be allowed on the rock unless guides are present, said having guides there from the start of April would involve preparations from February on and this would have health and safety implications.
Kerry South TD and former Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue is supporting calls for an extension of the season and is arranging a meeting between Mr Mansergh and the ferry operators.
Two American visitors last year died in falls on the Skellig, a spectacular cone-shaped rock rising about 200 metres out of the Atlantic.
A UNESCO world heritage site, visitors reach the seventh monastic remains at the summit by climbing 600 stone steps.
Mr Mansergh said the isolation of the Skellig had been instrumental in helping its preservation.
He said visitor levels had increased to such an extent in the early 1990s that noticeable wear was being caused to the access steps, which were of dry-stone construction and vulnerable to damage.
“The landing of visitors outside of when our guides are present is not acceptable from the OPW’s viewpoint in terms of both the security of the site and the safety of visitors,” the minister stated.
In relation to safety, Mr Mansergh also said inspections and removal of fallen stones could not take place if guides were not present.
