Does anyone have any experiences in travelling to any of the islands off-shore in Kerry or Cork Counties (e.g., Skelligs or islands near Baltimore)? I'd like to travel to one of these and spend a few hour on the island.

Skellig Rock is a most interesting place to visit.About 9 miles off the coast of Kerry it was inhabited by monks from about 600AD and then they left about a thousand years ago.You can still see their stone houses though 600 up a steep climb.You go in a small boat from Portmagee and only go on a fine day.Visit the interpretation center before you go to the island.

When I visited Baltimore and sat outside Bushes enjoying a nice pint, I also enjoyed a wonderful sunset over Sherkin Island with the outline of the monastary on the horizon. From Baltimore or Schull you can visit this island and Cape Clear Island with Sherkin only being a ten minute boat ride. I have not visited either but I assure you that they are on my list and if you are into cycling or hiking I have read that both are highly recommended. You also have Bere Island just across the harbor from Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula. This island is part of the Beara Way route and again is considered to be well worth the experience. Take your pick. Good Luck

When I visited Baltimore and sat outside Bushes enjoying a nice pint, I also enjoyed a wonderful sunset over Sherkin Island with the outline of the monastary on the horizon. From Baltimore or Schull you can visit this island and Cape Clear Island with Sherkin only being a ten minute boat ride. I have not visited either but I assure you that they are on my list and if you are into cycling or hiking I have read that both are highly recommended. You also have Bere Island just across the harbor from Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula. This island is part of the Beara Way route and again is considered to be well worth the experience. And just to confuse matters more, the Blasket Islands off the Dingle Peninsula are uninhabited and have a great literary history. Take your pick. Good Luck

I stayed in Baltimore a few years ago and visited Sherkin and Clear. Sherkin is close and the boat goes across fairly often. The island is mainly agricultural and has a couple of pubs. I went across in the evening for a couple of hours, then again in the morning for a long walk. Cape Clear is very different and mountainous, and I had a memorable afternoon there. Boats run from Schull as well as Baltimore.

All: Thanks for the replies so far. is it true that Sherkin has an old castle and church as well as great beaches and wildlife (marine researcdh ctr)