Falling boulder delays Skellig plan to re-open on Saturday
Power-driven hammers were also being deployed to break up two tonnes of rock that had this week landed in the middle of the path leading to the medieval monastic site, completely blocking it.
Ironically, the huge boulder came tumbling down just as workers finished urgent repair to earlier damage near the main landing pier, and the island had been declared safe for visitors. It is the second rockfall on the barren Unesco world heritage site since last winter. The site sprung to world attention after being chosen for Star Wars scenes.
Relentless rain on Skellig saw part of the main visitor roadway give way in March.
Workers were ferried out from Killarney in recent weeks to undertake urgent repairs. Light soil continued to fall and there was no threat to visitors, the OPW said.
With a half hour of the announcement, the giant boulder had came thundering down. The OPW described Monday’s event as “worrying”.
