After its star turn in "Star Wars: Episode VII -- The Force Awakens," Ireland's Skellig Michael island is suddenly a hot property.
The island is awakened —
After its star turn in "Star Wars: Episode VII -- The Force Awakens," Ireland's Skellig Michael island is suddenly a hot property.
DEA / S. VANNINI/De Agostini Editorial/De Agostini/Getty Images
The island's isolated and forbidding location has traditionally discouraged crowds, but officials expect that to change.
Coming soon? —
The island's isolated and forbidding location has traditionally discouraged crowds, but officials expect that to change.
george karbus photography
This photo, taken from Skellig Michael, shows Little Skellig rising from the mist. The two dramatic sea crags are located 12 kilometers west of Ivereagh Peninsula in Ireland's County Kerry.
Little Skellig —
This photo, taken from Skellig Michael, shows Little Skellig rising from the mist. The two dramatic sea crags are located 12 kilometers west of Ivereagh Peninsula in Ireland's County Kerry.
Tourism Ireland
Long before the Jedis moved in, Skellig Michael was the site of a 6th- century Christian monastery home to a small group of ascetic monks.
Former monastary —
Long before the Jedis moved in, Skellig Michael was the site of a 6th- century Christian monastery home to a small group of ascetic monks.
Tourism Ireland
Visitors walk up 600 steep steps to the beehive huts of what was once one of Europe's most remote religious communities.<br />
Beehive huts —
Visitors walk up 600 steep steps to the beehive huts of what was once one of Europe's most remote religious communities.
Tourism Ireland
UNESCO added Skellig Michael to the World Heritage List in 1996, crediting it for illustrating the spartan existence of the first Irish Christians.
UNESCO approved —
UNESCO added Skellig Michael to the World Heritage List in 1996, crediting it for illustrating the spartan existence of the first Irish Christians.
Tourism Ireland
Back on the mainland, the Ring of Kerry -- one of Ireland's most scenic drives -- offers glorious views, sandy beaches and ancient ruins.
Iveragh Peninsula —
Back on the mainland, the Ring of Kerry -- one of Ireland's most scenic drives -- offers glorious views, sandy beaches and ancient ruins.
Tourism Ireland