Short History
1400 BCThe mythical early invaders of Ireland, the Tuatha de Danaan, tell of Milesius whose son Irr was buried on the Skellig Isles
490AD Duach King of West Munster pursued by Aengus, King of Carhel, took refuge on Skellig Michael.
6th Century Legend has it that St. Fionan. founded the first Christian monastery on Skellig Michael Rock.
795AD Skellig Michael is attacked by Vikings heralding all the way from Scandinavia.
812AD In another Viking raid; Eitgal (Abbot of Skelligs) was abducted and eventually starved to death in captivity.
833 – 839AD Viking raids continued to decimate the small monastic settlement of Skellig Michael.
860AD The monastic settlement was repaired and rebuilt to cover over the damage of the Viking raids.
993AD Viking Olav Trygvasson (who was later to become King of Norway) was baptised by a Skellig hermit.
1200-1300AD In the early 13th century there was a general climatic deterioration resulting in colder weather and increased storms on the seas around the Skellig isles. Along with a shift in the Irish church from a monastic to a diocesan structure, brought the end of Irish eremitic island colonies, which resulted in the community of Skellig Michael eventually moving to the mainland. This was probably not a single event but likely happened over a period of time.
1578AD Queen Elizabeth I dissolved certain monasteries as a result of the Desmond rebellions, The Skellig islands thus passed to the Butler family.
1600-1700AD Skellig Michael becomes a focus for pilgrims from all over Europe.
1821AD Work begins on the construction of two lighthouses.
1826AD The two lighthouses are turned on.
1870AD The upper lighthouse because another lighthouse was built further up the coast
1909AD A new 120,000 candle light with a rotation machine was installed at the lower lighthouse
1944AD on the night of 27 February 1944 at 0102 hrs an American Navy Aircraft struck the highest point of Skellig Michael.
1966AD A temporary lantern was mounted on a spur of rock and the main light is extinguished after 146 years.
1967AD The new 1,800,000 candle lighthouse turned on.
1981AD Skelligs Lighthouse is turned automatic, and the last lighthouse keeper leaves Skellig Michael.
1996AD Skellig Michael became a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect its archaeological wonders for posterity.
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