Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PA WIRE

"Significant winter storm damage" confirmed on Skellig Michael

It appears that wind and rain have had far more of an impact on the craggy terrain than the activities of JJ Abrams.

THE HARSH WEATHER resulted in “significant winter storm damage” on Skellig Michael in recent months, the Office of Public Works has said.

The Unesco World Heritage site has been in the news recently as a result of filming for Star Wars on the Co Kerry island.

However it appears that wind and rain have had far more of an impact on the craggy terrain than the activities of JJ Abrams and Mark Hamill.

“The damage has been sustained to a length of wall along the main visitor path – known as the Lighthouse Road – leading from the landing pier at sea level to the base of the South Steps where visitors begin the climb to the famous Skellig Mhichíl monastic site,” the OPW said in a statement.

“A portion of the wall at the Cross Cove has been swept away, possibly by the effects of wave action during recent severe storms.

“It is alternatively possible that the wall at this location may have been damaged as a result of rockfall from the slopes above the roadway; the section of roadway involved is particularly prone to rockfall, and a timber covered canopy has been in place for many years near this point to protect users from debris falling from above.”

The OPW says it won’t be feasible to assess the actual cause of the damage until experts can access the site in the coming days.

The agency adds “it has no information in relation to any damage being caused to the monastic site for which Skellig Mhichíl is famous; as the Monastery is remote from the Lighthouse Road location and located considerably higher on the Island, it is not expected that there would be the same level of damage at that location as it is not vulnerable to either wave or landslide action”.

However:

This will only be confirmed however once personnel have been able to access Skellig Mhichíl to inspect the entire site.

The Lighthouse Road forms the principal access route for visitors from the landing pier up to the base of the South Steps, and is the sole point of access for visitors to the monastic site.

As such, the safety of visitors to the site over the summer months is now a concern, the OPW says:

Clearly therefore, damage of the scale suspected may, if it is judged to be unsafe, be of significant concern for visitor safety. It will be a priority for the inspection team therefore to establish urgently what the safety implications for visitors are this coming summer and how to address the matter given the importance of the site to the local tourism economy in Kerry.

Arrangements are currently being made to have experts land on the island as soon as possible to assess the damage.

A report will then be prepared for acting arts and heritage minister Heather Humphreys.

Read: Skellig Michael’s obscurity is about to end ‘in a blaze of silver-screen glory’

Read: The New York Times visited Skellig Michael… and went completely overboard

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
25 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Do the Bort man
    Favourite Do the Bort man
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 8:14 AM

    the recorders have not actually been found, but they know the general location of where the recorders (and hopefully the wreckage) actually are, so it shouldn’t take too long to locate them. Such a terrible loss of life, from some of our bravest people. RIP

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daire Brady
    Favourite Daire Brady
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 8:00 AM

    Hopefully all are found!

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan C Gantly
    Favourite Ronan C Gantly
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 9:28 AM

    Still shocked. As a pilot I am aware of the many risks but I also know there are only so many risks you can legislate for. Hopefully there’s closure soon for the families involved.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jon Mackey
    Favourite Jon Mackey
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 10:18 AM

    @Ronan C Gantly: would I be right in saying if the box is still in the wreckage there’s a chance of finding the rest of the crew still onboard?

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan C Gantly
    Favourite Ronan C Gantly
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 1:44 PM

    @Jon Mackey: reasonable to expect that yes.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
    Favourite Mary Mc Carthy
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 10:43 AM

    To lose someone you loved suddenly is a tragedy, but to lose that person and not retrieve their body brings about suffering that few of us comprehend . I hope that their bodies are returned to their loved ones soon .

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lapmo Dancer
    Favourite Lapmo Dancer
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 11:13 AM

    *Captain Mark Duffy

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christopher Gibbons
    Favourite Christopher Gibbons
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 10:55 PM

    Shared a house with and worked alongside Captain Mark Duffy in San Fransisco. A very capable guy. A truly terrible situation.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute PWD Dublin
    Favourite PWD Dublin
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 2:08 PM

    Shock, respectable coverage of the tragedy and a reminder of the bravery of those that risk their lives. I’m still confused with the timidity towards wanting to understand what actually caused this tragedy. Yes, the voice and technical black and red box recorders will, if recovered reasonably intact, reveal a lot. However, this was a highly experienced crew not involved at the time of it’s disappearance with the rescue effort, returning to re-fuel. No mayday? No communication? Disappears off the radar? If this turns out to be a catastrophic mechanical failure surely it is in the interests of all other crews flying this helicopter type on our island that a focus is placed on its cause.
    It is a world away from macabre interest and respect for those who have lost their lives to ask these questions surely?

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bryan Long
    Favourite Bryan Long
    Report
    Mar 16th 2017, 9:19 PM

    Is the government jet in the USA and are Air Corp personnel who should have been providing fixed wing cover for this flight out of the country?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds