Falling boulder delays Skellig plan to re-open on Saturday

Lifting machinery was being ferried out to Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry yesterday after a giant boulder fell from a height, just hours after the announcement that the island was 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.