The Office of Public Works has said it cannot extend the visitor season for Skellig Michael earlier than the traditional mid-May opening.
It followed a call by Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty at November’s Kerry County Council meeting.
A response to the council from the OPW was shared with county councillors at December’s monthly meeting.
Cllr Moriarty said Sceilg Mhichíl is important to the entire country, and weather patterns show we get better weather earlier in the year, compared to late summer or early autumn.
She said there were only 61 landing days at Sceilg Mhichíl this year, partly due to a delayed opening due to a legal dispute regarding the issuing of licences for landing permits.
Cllr Moriarty said a 40% reduction compared to what would be the norm is a killer blow to any industry.
A response to that request was shared at the council meeting, from the Private Secretary to the Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran.
It said visitor access to Sceilg Mhichíl is seasonal and shaped by a combination of conservation requirements, safety considerations, and practical realities of working on a remote island.
The response said the OPW must complete a programme of essential conservation and safety works before any visitors can be admitted, and these can only commence when conditions allow safe access for staff.
It said in practice, reliable access is generally not achievable before mid-April.
It said the timing of the seabird breeding season also places important constraints on early activity on the island.
The response said taking all these factors into account, the OPW cannot extend the visitor season earlier than the long-established mid-May opening.
It said to do so would not be compatible with ensuring the safety of OPW staff and visitors, or with meeting the conservation, environmental, and World Heritage obligations.
