Steps

The National Monuments Service's description

On the steep E-facing slope leading upwards to the W from Blind Man's Cove on Sceilg Mhichíl. During excavation and conservation work in 2001 over 400 steps (Wth 1-1.5m; H 0.1-0.2m) were uncovered and damaged steps were repaired (Bourke 2003, 170). The steps were constructed from stone flags set on a foundation of coursed stone. Known as the 'East Steps', they lead up to the main ecclesiastical complex through a lintelled passage into the Lower Monks' Garden (KE104A001102-) and thence wind upwards leading into the monastic enclosure. The lower section of the steps was destroyed during the construction of the lighthouse road in the 1820s; the remains of a building (KE104A001031-) were uncovered in 2002 at the lower end of the steps.

See attached contour plan showing the location of the east steps, taken from Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property Management Plan 2020–30

Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 3 March 2022

References

Bourke, E. 2003 Skellig Michael (inner enclosure), Great Skellig. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2001: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 170. Bray. Wordwell.