Climate change poses serious risk to Skellig Michael, report shows

Vivienne Clarke

Climate change is posing a serious risk to Skellig Michael, according to a climate vulnerability assessment report published on Wednesday evening in Valentia, Co Kerry.

Dr Connie Kelleher of the National Monuments Service told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland that the threats from climate change include possible damage to the monastic structures on the island as a result of extreme weather.

Skellig Michael was a unique site where there was a delicate balance that was vulnerable to the elements, she said.

The report outlined that measures taken by the OPW such as crash decks had helped to reduce risks to the monastic site and the degradation of monuments.

The study, undertaken throughout 2023 and 2024, involved contributions from both technical experts and the local community.

It found that climate change could lead to the erosion of the island's landscape and have impacts on breeding birds due to higher ocean temperatures.

The report outlines adaptation measures to safeguard the heritage of the site, including education on wildlife and heritage conservation issues for visitors to the island to create behaviour change and continued access for those visiting and using Skellig Michael as an educational tool on climate change impacts and adaptations among other measures.

Dr Kelleher added that the protection measures would not necessarily mean that fewer visitors could come to the island, but it would be necessary to “think outside the box” and find other ways for people to experience the beauty of the island at times when they could not land on Skellig Michael.