Skelligs on track to open as new licences issued
THE Office of Public Works say they are cautiously optimistic that Skellig Michael will be ready to open on schedule on May 14, despite a decent rockfall on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An OPW spokesperson said that good progress has been made in dealing with the major rockfall, which was discovered when staff arrived earlier this month.
A specialist safety team who were on the Island last week surveyed all the slopes concerned and they satisfactorily resolved any issues in all areas where there was a suspicion of loose material.
At this stage, no large material remains to threaten the Lighthouse Road, though the OPW said that as conditions remain very dry, there is still a possibility that the actions of burrowing birds may continue to dislodge small rocks.
The specialist team have now been replaced by regular OPW staff who are carrying out standard pre-season checks and the removal of the 30 tonnes of rocks and boulders that fell onto the Lighthouse Road.
Meanwhile, licences have been granted to 13 of the 22 boat operators who applied for permits to bring visitors to the island. The licences were issued following a newly introduced open competition for permits.
Three new operators are among the permit holders who can begin ferrying passengers to the island from May 14.
The new licence holders are Brendan Casey; Michael B Casey; Paul Devane; James Duff; Nealie Lyne; Donal McCrohan; Gearoid Moran; Patrick Murphy; Seanie Murphy; John O’Shea; Michael O’Sullivan; David Walsh and Dermot Walsh.
One of the newly licensed boats ‘ The Force Awakens’ is owned by Ballinskelligs born, multi-millionaire New York property developer Kevin O’Sullivan.