Skellig Michael is not only the most westerly point in Europe but it is also a very special place, a place apart.  In the 6th century, monks came here to what was the very edge of their  world and then started building upwards into the heavens, in search of reality. They built a monastery on a narrow ledge 160 meters above sea level.

There are two islands Skellig Michael and Little Skellig.  As you approach,  they have an otherworldly appearance, the appearance of maybe an alien spaceship or at least something that has dropped out of the sky rather than part of the natural landscape.

The Skelligs had been on my bucket list for some time and I realized that boats left from Valentia Island.  However, I had always understood that space was limited, the trip was very weather dependent and had to be booked well in advance.  So we went to the tourist center on Valentia that morning with the intention of taking a boat trip around the islands without landing.  We had been told that this was just as interesting but believe me it is not, not even close.  However, it appears that hotels block book spaces on the boats for their guests but they regularly fail to turn up.  Destiny played a hand that morning and we were offered two places on the first boat.

A journey in a small boat, in the wild Atlantic, is exciting enough but when you reach the tiny jetty you realize that every piece of level ground and every foothold, including the one thousand and more stone steps up to the monastery with its bee hive cells, were carved out by the monks.

As you ascend the steps, you become aware of the abundant bird life, especially the puffins who are so plentiful and tame, it is difficult not to trip over them.

Having reached the monastery, you lose sight of the boats, the harbour and the 21st century.  It’s hard to believe that nothing remains of those men who lived here in splendid isolation for 6 centuries.  Maybe, today they are still there in spirit and enjoy mingling with the tourists.

A visit to the Skelligs is a life experience.  Whether or not those monks from ancient times walk amongst the visitors today,  they have left behind something incredible, an example of commitment to an ideal which will last forever.

 

 

Source: Joe and Dan’s Tour of the Wild, Wild West

Joe and I have been best friends since we met at school in the dark and troubled days of seventies Belfast. We had made several trips around Ireland as teenagers and, many, many moons later decided to recreate the experience with a little island hopping in the wild, wild west.

We started our trip with two nights camping at Mannix Point, Cahirciveen, in the Ring of Kerry, on the Wild Atlantic Way. http://www.campinginkerry.com/  Mannix Point claims to be the most beautiful camping/caravan/motor home site in Ireland and I think that the claim is well justified.  It has a fabulous location, the facilities are excellent and the sunsets are incredible.  It lies within an easy walking distance of the bustling little town of Cahirsiveen.  Although a few empty shops in the main street tell us of tough times, Cahirsiveen is a charming lively place where unusually enough, the Catholic church is named after the local hero Daniel O Connell.

Mannix Point is within a short drive of Valentia Island. htttp://www.theringofkerry.com/valentia-island

Valentia Island, (strictly speaking it’s no longer an island as it was connected to the mainland by a bridge in 1971). It, while small in size (approx 12km x 5km) contains a number of interesting sites which when combined with the location makes it a place well worth visiting.  The island itself consists of two small villages Knightstown & Chapel town. Roads on the island tend to be narrow even by Kerry standards and some of the sights to the north of the island (lighthouse etc) are best accessed on foot. The cliff walk and the walk to the old lighthouse give views which are second to none.

However, most tantalising for me was the fact that the boat to Skellig Michael leaves from the tourist centre on Valentia.   Skellig Michael has always been very high on my bucket list and I spent our second night under canvas not only snoring, so I am informed but also dreaming of Skellig Michael, the end of the world.

Source: Slieve Croob Circuit

This is a moderate 10 kilometres circuit on old roads and rough ground.  For a map and statistics go to https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=18725608

Slieve Croob is a rugged isolated little mountain situated in the northern part of the Mournes.  Unfortunately, the summit is decorated with an array of communication masts but the views are magnificent, stretching from the Mournes to the Belfast Hills and Strangford to Lough Neagh.  It is also famous as the source of the River Lagan which rises here as a mere trickle before making its mighty way to Belfast.

Start in the hamlet of Finnis which is about 2 kilometres outside Dromara, heading south on the B7.  Take the Dree Hill Road and then shortly turn left onto the Drin Road.  Follow this for just over a kilometre and then turn right onto Pass Loaning.  The lane climbs up through gorgeous scenery and turns sharply right to a metal gate near some ruined cottages.  Here the walk opens into open mountain slopes and the track is more indefinite but it is well marked with a series of wooden posts to the summit.

The grassy slope on this part of the mountain is known as Monahoora and it is a great place to listen to the song of the skylark and spot buzzards hanging in the air.  After a couple of stiles, cross some boggy ground to reach a tarmac road.  Turn left and the road will bring you to the summit cairn and a trig point at 534 metres.

Return to the road and it will zigzag downhill back to Finnis, passing the source of the Lagan, marked by a viewing point in the car park, en route.

Source: Colin Glen Circuit

There is little doubt about the benefits of walking for both mind and body.  Colin Glen is easily accessible from Belfast city centre and boasts a whole range of walks from a short stroll on a well-marked path to an all day trek across the hills.

http://www.walkni.com/walks/81/colin-glen/

On Sunday, we started at the Colin Glen Centre and car park, 163 Stewartstown Road, Dunmurry. We followed the river to the point where it crosses under the Glen Road and then onward to the disused quarry.  At this point, you can head for the aerials on Divis and Black mountain and even make it an all day walk as far as Cave Hill.

However, that is a walk we intend to enjoy later in the summer.  On this occasion, we followed the track to the left and it brought us to the waterfall, locally known as the ‘Rumble Hole’.  This is quite spectacular, but the immediate surroundings could do with

a cleanup.  We then followed a track on the other side of the glen through a sea of bluebells and even the occasional orchid to reach the mass rock.  This route does involve

some scrambling but it is well worth it, the mass rock is in a beautiful shady place, perfect for a bite of lunch.  From here, we made our way back through Colin Glen to the car park.

Source: The Most Stunning Views in the World – Dunseverick to Giant’s Causeway

When the weather is good, as it was yesterday, this walk must have some of the most stunning views on the planet.  It is 16 kilometres there and back and I would classify it as easy to moderate as there are some steep stone steps.    For more information, a map and statistics go to https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=17627538

We started at the car park at the ruins of Dunseverick castle and followed the grassy track to the left as far as the Giant’s Causeway and then back again.  The views were equally amazing in both directions.  We not only had full sun but a sea mist rolled in from time to time and gave us a wonderful display of meteorological effects.