Ballinskelligs

Republic of Ireland, Ireland

---

Ballinskelligs, officially called Baile an Sceilg in Irish meaning “town of the craggy rock,” is a scenic coastal area and Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking region) on the southwest Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland, located on the Skellig Ring just 8 km off the Ring of Kerry.

The area is best known for its beautiful sheltered Blue Flag beach, dramatic rugged coastline, and historic connections to the nearby Skellig Islands, where monks originally lived and later returned to spend winters before settling permanently in Ballinskelligs in the 12th century to found the picturesque Ballinskelligs Abbey.

Important historical sites along the coast include the 16th-century McCarthy’s Castle and St. Michael’s Well, while the area also features prehistoric ruins like Cill Rialiag’s early Christian monastic settlement with its oratory, inscribed stones, and beehive huts. Ballinskelligs is a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers, offering hikes like the 12 km Skellig Way and 9 km Bolus Loop Walk with chances to spot dolphins, whales, and seabirds, and it lies within the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, making its beach car park an excellent spot for stargazing and autumn bioluminescence viewing.