“An urgent threat to tourism” in South Kerry prompted a flotilla of boats to head out to Skellig Michael on Thursday evening in protest over the ongoing closure of the Unesco World Heritage site.
Manager of the site, the Office of Public Works (OPW), said it cannot issue permits to any of the 15 operators awarded landing rights for the 2025 season because of legal constraints.
The Skellig season traditionally runs between early May and late September, weather permitting. Only a limited number of visitors per day, a total of 180, are to allowed land because of the fragile nature of the site.
Demand regularly outstrips supply — particularly since Skellig Michael featured in the hugely popular Star Wars trilogy.
The number of tourists who visit each day represent only a fraction of the total visitor value to the region, tourism operators have said.
Most are accompanied by other family members and friends who spend time exploring the coast and villages in South Kerry. According to James Murphy, an orgainser and spokesperson for Skellig Coast Tourism, €1m in tourist revenue has already been lost since the May 10 opening date was missed.
Representing 100 businesses in the region, Mr Murphy said permits need to be issued by the OPW.
“Over €1m is already lost in the Skellig not being open. This includes pay for boatmen, accommodation and cafes, and visitor experience," he said.
The damage went beyond money and also affected the reputation of Kerry, he added.
Thursday's protest saw the boat operators head from Portmagee to Skellig Michael, circling the island in a bid to drawing attention to the escalating crisis.
Mr Murphy said the time for talking was over, and permits needed to be issued. He said his organisation had no entrenched views as to who should get the permits, simply that they should be issued for the sake of the region. He claimed that the OPW had not engaged with locals.
Last week, the OPW said it had lodged a motion before the High Court seeking permission to issue Skellig Michael boat operator permits for summer 2025 to the successful applicants.
This followed a High Court challenge from unsuccessful participants in the open competition to operate the boat licences. A date for the High Court to hear the OPW motion has been assigned for either June 3 or 4.
Competition
In December 2024, the OPW published a competition to award 15 permits for summer 2025 and onwards. The number of permits is limited in order to protect the fragile ecosystem of Skellig Michael, it added.
“The OPW contacted applicants in late March 2025 to tell them the outcome of their applications," the OPW said in a statement.
"Since then, three unsuccessful participants in the competition have brought High Court proceedings challenging the outcome of the competition. The OPW will be fully defending the proceedings."
Under Irish and EU law, the proceedings brought by three unsuccessful tenderers mean that the OPW is prevented from issuing permits for summer 2025. This is until the proceedings are resolved or unless the High Court gives permission to issue permits.
“The OPW is acutely aware of the key role the island plays in the tourism economy of South Kerry and the wider region. In an attempt to resolve the situation, the OPW has been making urgent applications to the High Court requesting permission to lift the injunction in place (also known as a suspension).
"If the injunction/suspension is lifted, this will enable the OPW to issue permits to the 15 applicants who were successful in the competition on the terms advertised in the competition.
"No permit can be issued until the High Court gives permission to do so or unless the proceedings are settled.”
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