New viewing platform and toilets for visitors to Skellig Michael this year

The creation of a new viewing platform for visitors is among the repairs and refurbishments taking place at Skellig Michael before its reopening.

Staff from the Office of Public Works are currently carrying out maintenance works on the island before it reopens to visitors on July 1st.

Works are also being carried out on two lighthouses, which both date back 200 years.

Each year, a six-week routine of maintenance works is carried out on the island by the Office of Public Works Conservation Services, before it reopens to visitors for the summer.

Until this year, there were no visitor toilets on the island, but the OPW says hygiene facilities have become a critical issue due to COVID-19, and have made the provision of new visitor toilets a priority this year.

The OPW also plans to repair and refurbish the fog station, which was constructed 107 years ago, to create a viewing platform area for visitors.

There are plans to re-roof and refurbish the Upper Lighthouse on the island, to facilitate a visitor centre and OPW staff accommodation.

The OPW also intends to refurbish the Lower Lighthouse Keeper's House to accommodate its staff, and external consultants visiting the island.

Other planned work includes repairs to the lighthouse road, to enable access.

Skellig Michael will reopen to visitors next Thursday, July 1st.