Greater Skellig Coast Recognized as Ireland’s First Hope Spot
Image: Hope Spot Champions Lucy Hunt (right), Founder of SeaSynergy and Aoife O Mahony, Campaign Manager for Fair Seas Photo by Alan Landers
(THE SKELLIGS, IRELAND) –
In the southwestern waters off Ireland is Sceilg Mhichíl or The Skelligs, one of the most spectacular early medieval monastic sites in the world. The island stands out in the Atlantic, towering above waters with creatures like bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops), the elusive flapper skate (Dipturus batis) and stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca). The Greater Skellig Coast stretches from Kenmare Bay in Co Kerry to Loop Head in Co Clare and covers an area of roughly 7,000 km2 of Irish coastal waters.
In the modern day, residents have connected with their blue backyard through a dolphin named Fungi, who for 38 years delighted locals with frequent sightings.…