Sceilg Mhichíl, the UNESCO World Heritage Site managed by the OPW off the coast of Kerry, will not open as scheduled this weekend because of a legal challenge by three boat operators whose permits were not renewed.
The OPW managers of the island said that despite an initial legal challenge, they sought to issue permits for 2025, but there has been a further legal challenge this week.
Guides have been specifically trained for the opening of the island along with maintenance and conservation crews and the OPW said it is “acutely aware” of the importance of the island to south Co Kerry, the OPW said in a statement.
The delay is leading to fears that the area will lose millions of euro in business this season.
There have been calls for temporary permits to be issued to boat operators, including to those who were unsuccessful.
Villages along the Kerry coast say they will be down hundreds of visitors this weekend alone because of cancellations.
The Sceilg Mhichíl landing season with boats from Portmagee, Doire Fhíonáin, Baile an Sceilg and Valentia operates between May and the third week of September each year.
A maximum of 180 visitors a day are allowed land on the seventh-century monastic island 11.5km off the Kerry coastline.
“It’s a blow to south Kerry”
Sceilg Mhichíl boat permits for landing passengers take into account sea vessel safety, the restrictions on numbers visiting, as well as the unique and very challenging landing conditions on the fragile island, which is both a heritage site and a special conservation area for birds.
Fifteen boat landing permits are normally offered for five-year terms and renewed annually under a public tendering system.
However, three operators whose permits were not renewed for 2025 have now taken a judicial review.
Three other operators were selected but none of the approved 15 permits have been issued.
Mark Conway, who runs the shop and post office in Portmagee, said south Kerry would be expected to see 250 people arriving in the area on Saturday.
“It’s a blow to south Kerry,” he said.
“All of south Kerry including Killarney are affected,” Mr Conway said.
“We have fantastic weather at the moment and for the next ten days,” he added.
People were afraid the island would remain closed for the season.
Rows over the awarding of permits to land on the island have led to at least three legal actions in the past decade.
Local TD and Fianna Fáil Spokesman for Tourism Michael Cahill has called for “common sense to prevail” and allow the existing licensees plus the newly appointed three to operate as normal for the season, “even if judicial reviews are pending”.
Permits could be issued allowing 18 boat operators this year, with a reduction to ten passengers per boat instead of the normal 12, he suggests.
In a statement, the OPW said it had sought to issue permits.
“The Office of Public Works (OPW) has lodged a motion before the High Court seeking permission to issue Sceilg Mhichíl boat operator permits for Summer 2025 to the successful applicants in a recent competition.
“This follows a high court challenge from unsuccessful participants in the open competition to operate the boat licences,” it said.
“The OPW visitor experience guide team has been completing the required intensive training to prepare for the forthcoming season including certified rope access handling training, sea-survival training, first aid wilderness training and VHF (radio communications) training.
“This is bespoke, specific guide training for Sceilg Mhícíl that must be undertaken by staff prior to the Island opening to visitors,” it added.
