Skellig Islands are two extraordinary rocky islands, sited just 13 km west of the coast of Kerry. Skellig Micheal, the larger of the two rocky outcrops, rises sharply to some 212 m, and near the summit, situated on a ledge, are the remains of an early Christian monastery. Its foundation remains shrouded in mystery, but it is known that a small community of about a dozen monks were based there between the 6th and 12th centuries. Photo by: Janek Kloss

During the 1800s, George Halpin Sr - one of Ireland’s greatest lighthouse designers built two lighthouses there, manned by keepers working on a rota system. Today only one still beams out its warning and it is fully automated. Photo by: Janek Kloss

Both islands are notable for their bird life, and Little Skellig, where there is no landing point at all, is Ireland’s largest and the world’s second largest Northern gannet colony, with almost 30, 000 pairs. The scale and diversity of seabird population makes The Skelligs one of Ireland’s most important seabird sites. Photo by: Danny O’Brien

When to go: From April to late September. Population: Uninhabited. Getting there: Only 10 boats are authorized to land on Skellig Michael, each carrying a maximum of 12 people, so book ahead. You should know: By the end of the 18th century, the pilgrims who came there were all young men and women, who came to party, not to pray. Their exploits are documented in poems known as ‘The Skelligs List’. Photo by: johnmontague