OPW TAKE CHARGE OF ‘OVERCROWDED’ SKELLIG MICHAEL
FOLLOWING the Skellig’s star turn in the latest Star Wars film there have been renewed calls for a tighter cap on the number of visitors who are allowed to visit the UNESCO world heritage site.
The state papers from 1987 show that concerns about the impact of tourism on the ancient site are nothing new and the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, was briefed on the issue ahead of a visit to Kerry.
At the time the Office of Public Works were in the process of purchasing the island from the Commissioners of Irish Lights and briefing notes prepared for Haughey show that the CPW had major concerns about the management of the island and the need to regulate the boatmen who ferried tourists to and from the site.
At present 15 boats are licensed to bring a maximum of 180 people (12 per boat) a day to the island but, according to the state papers, in 1987 far more people were being landed on Skellig Michael each day.
Haughey was told that at the time around 400 people a day were being landed on the island by “about 10” unlicensed and unregulated boat operators.
This, the Taoiseach was told, was causing “major problems” on the island.
“Up to recent years the isolation of Skellig Michael was a major factor in its preservation,” the briefing notes states.
“However in the last seven or eight years, a number of boats have been bringing visitors to it and this is causing major problems.”
“Problems include vandalism, general lack of control, overuse of areas not designed for such numbers, littering and lack of facilities including toilets.”
The OPW then went on to recommend that restrictions be introduced to limit the number of people visiting the island.
“The commissioners of Public Works took on temporary caretakers during the summer season to provide security against damage to the site and to give service to visitors. This has improved matters somewhat but it will be necessary to curtail the number of visitors if this unique monument is to be preserved.”
The idea of issuing licences to boat operators was also floated.
“A further cause of concern is that none of the boatmen are licensed for such use of their vessels. Apart from what can be a difficult trip, especially for young children, there are dangers involved in disembarking from and boarding the boats at the island. The attention of the Department of the Marine has been drawn to this licensing matter.”