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Table of Contents
Skellig Michael is a rocky hill with twin pinnacles. Also known as the Great Skellig, it is located west of the Iveragh Peninsula, off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is quickly becoming one of Ireland’s most famous tourist attractions. At present, it is home to thousands of seabirds.
Key Facts & Information
Etymology
- The word “Skellig” comes from the old Irish word “sceillec” which means “small or steep area of rock”.
- It may have originated from the Old Norse language, particularly from the word skellingar, which means “the resounding ones”.
- The island’s alternative Irish name is Glascarraig which means “the green rock”; the name is rarely used.
- The island is named after the archangel Michael.
- The first reference made to the Skelligs was in the Irish retelling of a shipwreck that occurred some time in the 14th century BC.
- According to legend, the shipwreck was caused by the Tuatha Dé Danann, supernatural deities in Irish mythology.
- It is said that Irr, who is the son of Míl Espáine, the mythical ancestor of Irish inhabitants, drowned on his way to the Iberian Peninsula and ended up being buried on the island.
Legends About the Island
- There are numerous myths and stories about what had happened on the island of Skellig Michael.
- King Duagh of Munster was said to have escaped to the island from his rivals.
- Daire Domhain was said to have rested on the island a year before engaging in battle with Irish warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Gaelic Monastery
- There was barely anyone inhabiting it until the founding of the monastery.
- From then on, the island has been known for its Gaelic monastery.
- In the 6th century, Irish monks established a monastery on the island which was utilized for prayer and contemplation.
- They also set up stone cells which are still on Skellig Michael to this day.
- The monastery is constructed on a terraced shelf 600 feet above sea level.
- Found in the monastery complex is a medieval church made of mortared stone, corbel oratories, crosses, stone cells, and a cemetery.
- The monks built three sets of steps to the monastery, which are presently known as the East, South, and North Steps.
- Only a few monks had lived in the monastery settlements – more or less a dozen.
- For food, the monks carefully cultivated vegetables through a series of cisterns, and they also sustained themselves with fish and eggs.
- At the peak of the island is Christ’s Saddle, the only fertile piece of land on the island.
- Christ’s Saddle is flat and saddle-shaped, as its name suggests, and has traces of medieval crop farming.
- On the opposite side of the island is the hermitage.
- The origins of the hermitage are said to date back to the 9th century.
- The hermitage consists of enclosures and platforms built on three main terraces cut into the rock.
Viking Raids
- Beginning around the year 821, Vikings had raided Ireland.
- A couple of years later, they focused on raiding Skellig Michael.
- Vikings raided the island several times.
- Despite the havoc, the monks who were inhabiting the island at the time somehow survived the attacks.
- According to one legend, a hermit from the island ended up baptizing Olav Tryggvason the Viking in 993.
Post-Monastic History
- The monks left Skellig Michael in 1100 and the island has since been largely uninhabited by people.
- Skellig Michael has remained home to wildlife for centuries.
- Some factors to consider about why the island had been abandoned by the monks are the worsening climate and changes to the structure of the Irish Church.
- Despite being largely abandoned, the island’s natural beauty and fascinating history have made it a center of pilgrimage, with pilgrims reaching the island at Easter.
- Eventually, the types of pilgrims arriving in Skellig Michael changed as well.
- Young men and women went to the island not to fast and pray, but to go to court, dance, and have a good time.
- The changed culture resulted in the “Skelligs List” of poems created in the 19th and 20th centuries which were intended to mock young people of marriageable age into marriage.
Geography and Features
- Skellig Michael is a crag with twin pinnacles.
- A crag is a rocky hill or mountain typically separated from other high ground.
- The island consists of approximately 22 hectares of rock.
- Its highest point is 714 feet above sea level, which is known as the Spit.
- It is located in the Atlantic Ocean west of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland.
- Two lighthouses were built in the 19th century to guide the passage of ships around the southwest coast of Ireland.
- The remains of a tower house, a cross-inscribed slab, and a megalithic stone row are also found on the island.
Skellig Michael Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Skellig Michael across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready to use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Skellig Michael, a rocky hill with twin pinnacles. Also known as the Great Skellig, it is located west of the Iveragh Peninsula, off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is quickly becoming one of Ireland’s most famous tourist attractions. At present, it is home to thousands of seabirds.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Skellig Michael Facts
- Geography Keywords
- Skellig Map Study
- Picture Clues
- According To Legend
- Fill In The Blanks
- Word Differentiation
- Pilgrimage Notes
- Skellig Snapshots
- Postcard Design
- Curiosity Page
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Link will appear as Skellig Michael Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 9, 2021
Use With Any Curriculum
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