Safety briefing for Skellig Islands changed after tourist's 'near miss' in summer

Ken Foxe

The Office for Public Works (OPW) changed its safety briefing for visitors to the famous Skellig Islands this summer after a ‘near miss’ involving a tourist.

The visitor slipped off the steps while climbing up to the island monastery, according to a weekly log from late July.

Guides later installed a new rope rescue kit to help secure anybody who might fall from the notoriously steep stone stairs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A weekly brief from the islands said: “Guides have altered their safety briefing at bottom of steps. Safety brief is given on the way up.

“Guides have debriefed near miss with [redacted] … and have created a bottom of the steps rope kit which may help secure anyone who comes off steps but is awaiting further rescue assistance.”

In one weekly update from late August, a helicopter was reported to have flown around the island “despite stormy conditions.”

The logbook said it appeared as if there were eight passengers aboard at a time of rough seas and high swell, when boat access for visitors was suspended due to the severe weather risk.

Another report described an eventful day with one tourist arriving with “extreme seasickness” and another having suffered an “extreme anxiety attack.”

Four litres of oxygen were administered to the two of them, while a young boy who got sick in the monastery was given Lucozade by guides.

Another report noted a visitor vomiting on the Skelligs steps almost immediately after landing during one trip in June.

The OPW log said: “Guide came down for water to wash it.”

In early June, one visitor needed help after they slipped on the north slope of the island and suffered a sprained ankle.

Access to the island was sometimes impossible, with not a single visitor able to arrive during one week in September.

A note on conditions said: “Gale warning issued for Sunday, 14th, and yellow wind warning for Kerry. [On] Sunday, very strong winds, direction hitting the huts.”

There was also an issue with drones, according to one report, with researchers on island birdlife having flown one without proper permission.

A note said: “They were asked to check in with [redacted] and were informed of protocols not to fly during tourist time or in view of cruising boats.”

Asked about the reports, an OPW spokeswoman said the summer of 2025 had been a successful season for the Skelligs, “with strong visitor numbers on all landing days.”

She said: “Conservation work continued … supporting the ongoing protection of this internationally significant site and its outstanding archaeological remains and ecology.”

The spokeswoman said the ‘near miss’ incident had been managed promptly by staff and the visitor returned safely to the mainland.

“No injuries were sustained, and the incident was dealt with in line with OPW’s standard health and safety procedures,” she added.