The Skellig Coast

From its untamed coastline and unique geological formations to its rolling countryside and wild mountains, diversity is the key to the Skellig region’s landscape. This is a land of rolling hills and rugged coastlines with a turbulent history and a unique culture. Fuchsia Lodge is located on the Skellig Coast overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay. It is the perfect location to base yourself to explore the area.

The Skellig Region is a fantastic place to visit, no matter what time of the year. Each season has its own beauty and unique attractions. Enjoy romantic walks along deserted beaches on a crisp winter afternoon, trek through daffodil laden fields on horseback in the spring, swim in the turquoise waters of the many blue flag beaches in summer or cycle down country lanes with the golden glow of autumn leaves as a canopy. Whatever time of year you decide to visit, there will always be plenty to see and do.

It is a journey not to be rushed. If you do, the charm of the countryside and its people will pass you by. The roads are generally empty and traffic jams are still the exception. Delays are more likely to be caused by a herd of sheep lazily moving from one pasture to another. The secret to discovering the true beauty of this region is to spend time exploring its hidden treasures and getting to know the local people, who are renowned for their friendliness.

Each twist and turn on the road will reveal new sights - windswept cliffs, breathtaking scenery, spectacular lakes, rich flora and fauna, green and yellow chequered hills, unspoilt beaches and interesting rock formations, none more interesting than the regions top tourist attraction, the Skelligs UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gaelic is spoken widely in the region; you’ll see it on signs and hear it spoken in Gaeltacht areas. Ceilís, Irish summer colleges and Celtic Music festivals are all opportunities to experience the unique cultural heritage of the region.

Explore the region’s rich cultural heritage steeped in romance and legend. The evidence of history is everywhere, in the place names, the standing stones and the ancient forts. Past centuries have left deep impressions on the Skellig Coast. The oldest of these are the ancient tetrapod footprints at Valentia Island, which date from the Upper Jurassic period and were made over 365 million years ago. These are the oldest footprints ever found in the northern hemisphere.

The Skellig Region has been the home to many waves of settlers over the centuries, but by far the most significant in terms of influencing the region's overall culture and language were the Celts. The very name stirs the imagination, conjuring up images of long-haired warriors on horseback and fiery haired women draped in intricately crafted jewellery. For others the Celts suggest mysterious Druid priests who practiced ancient rituals among standing stones and bards who recited long epic poems, leaving a rich linguistic heritage and a haunting musical legacy.

As a result, the region has long been the setting for fabulous legends and folklore which have been passed on over the centuries. It all began when our Celtic ancestors passed on stories by word of mouth. The tales recount historic events with some exaggeration and paint a picture of Celtic Ireland, populated with heroes, fairies and magical creatures. The art of storytelling is a tradition which is still going strong, and local storytellers are known as Seanachaí.

The Waterville area and Ballinskelligs Bay play an important part in the mythology of ancient Ireland. According to the Book of Invasions written about 1000 AD, Cessair, the grand-daughter of Noah, landed in Ballinskelligs Bay after the flood and became Irelands first invader. Here, too, the last of the mythical invaders, the Milesians, settled in 1700 BC and reportedly left behind many of the archeological sites found in the area. These rich legends along with the earliest memories of Kerry history combine to form a mystical aura that visitors to Waterville can sense even today. 

Many Fianna legends also centre around the village of Glenbeigh where Diarmuid and Grainne are believed to have spent some days hiding in a cave in the valley of the Behy and Rossbeigh is said to be the location where Oisin and Niamh took to the sea on their white horse to live in the land of youth - Tir na nOg.

In more recent times, the Skellig Coast became known as a popular haunt of Smugglers and Pirates. As a result of its remoteness, the region became a haven for smugglers and pirates whose hunting ground was the trade from the Continent and North America. Portmagee was the home of a famous smuggler called Magee. Valentia and Derrynane were other popular havens. In Derrynane, the renowned Hunting Cap O’Connell built the family fortune on a thriving trade in contraband wine, brandy and silk.