First Steps
These are the first of 618 hand-carved stone steps that lead to the Skellig Michael Monastery, off the coast of Ireland. Almost 1500 years ago, Christian monks built the monastery 714 feet above sea level on Skellig Michael island. Several years ago, my husband and I climbed the same time-worn steps, without safety- or hand-rails, on a treacherous, dizzying climb to the top of the island. Along the desolate trail and from the monastery (see Medieval Beehives) we found spellbinding views of Little Skellig Island, the Kerry County coastline, and the Atlantic Ocean (see Rocky Sanctuary). Exceptionally well preserved, the monastery is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.