Visiting season extention for Skellig Michael refused

Tourism interests as well as boat operators who ferry passengers to a Unesco world heritage site are dismayed at the refusal of the OPW to extend the visiting season there.

OPW Minister Simon Harris confirmed the season for Skellig Michael, 12km off the south Kerry coast, for 2015 will run from May 15 to September 30. He said any extension of that timeframe would not be feasible.

Upwards of 14 boats take thousands of people to Skellig and one long-time boatman, Seanie Murphy, yesterday described the short season as an “absolute scandal’’.