# Skellig Michael > UNESCO heritage island off coast of Kerry, Ireland **Wikidata**: [Q207193](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207193) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skellig_Michael) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/skellig-michael ## Summary Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed island off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, part of the Skellig Islands group. It is renowned for its dramatic crag and tail geography and its historical significance as a monastic site, particularly associated with the archangel Michael. The island is a protected natural and cultural heritage site, attracting visitors for its rugged beauty and historical importance. ## Key Facts - **Location:** Off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland - **Coordinates:** Latitude 51.771111, Longitude -10.540556 - **Part of:** Skellig Islands, a group of islets in Ireland - **UNESCO Status:** World Heritage Site (designated as part of the Skellig Islands) - **Geographic Feature:** Crag and tail, a landform created by glaciation - **Historical Significance:** Associated with the archangel Michael and served as a monastic site - **Country:** Ireland - **Aliases:** Great Skellig - **Sitelink Count:** 51 (indicating widespread online references) - **Wikipedia Title:** Skellig Michael - **Wikidata Description:** UNESCO heritage island off the coast of Kerry, Ireland ## FAQs **What makes Skellig Michael a UNESCO World Heritage Site?** Skellig Michael is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Skellig Islands group due to its exceptional natural beauty, including its dramatic crag and tail formation, and its historical significance as a monastic site. The island’s rugged landscape and cultural heritage contribute to its global recognition. **What is the significance of Skellig Michael’s crag and tail formation?** The crag and tail formation of Skellig Michael is a result of glaciation, creating a distinctive and visually striking landform. This geological feature, combined with the island’s historical and cultural importance, makes it a unique and protected natural site. **How is Skellig Michael associated with the archangel Michael?** Skellig Michael is historically linked to the archangel Michael, who is said to have appeared to St. Michael of Glendalough, a 6th-century Irish saint, on the island. This association has cemented its place in Christian and Irish folklore. **What is the current status of Skellig Michael as a protected area?** Skellig Michael remains a protected natural and cultural heritage site, managed to preserve its ecological and historical significance. It is part of the Skellig Islands, which are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ## Why It Matters Skellig Michael holds immense cultural and ecological significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its dramatic crag and tail formation, shaped by glaciation, offers a stark and awe-inspiring landscape that draws visitors from around the world. Historically, the island has been associated with the archangel Michael, adding a layer of spiritual and religious importance. As a protected area, Skellig Michael plays a crucial role in preserving Ireland’s natural and cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations can appreciate its unique beauty and historical legacy. ## Notable For - **UNESCO World Heritage Status:** Designated as part of the Skellig Islands for its natural and cultural significance - **Crag and Tail Formation:** A rare and striking geological feature created by glaciation - **Historical Association with Archangel Michael:** A key site in Irish Christian folklore and monastic history - **Protected Natural and Cultural Heritage:** Managed to preserve its ecological and historical importance - **Tourist Attraction:** Draws visitors for its rugged beauty and historical significance ## Body ### Geography and Location Skellig Michael is located off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, with coordinates at latitude 51.771111 and longitude -10.540556. It is part of the Skellig Islands, a group of islets known for their dramatic landscapes. The island features a crag and tail formation, a geological feature created by glaciation, which contributes to its rugged and striking appearance. ### Historical Significance Skellig Michael is historically associated with the archangel Michael, who is said to have appeared to St. Michael of Glendalough, a 6th-century Irish saint, on the island. This association has cemented its place in Christian and Irish folklore. The island has also served as a monastic site, adding to its cultural and religious importance. ### UNESCO World Heritage Status Skellig Michael is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Skellig Islands. This designation recognizes its exceptional natural beauty and historical significance, ensuring its preservation for future generations. ### Protection and Management As a protected natural and cultural heritage site, Skellig Michael is managed to preserve its ecological and historical importance. This includes measures to protect its unique landscape and historical sites from environmental and human impacts. ### Tourism and Visitor Attraction Skellig Michael attracts visitors for its rugged beauty and historical significance. The island’s dramatic crag and tail formation, combined with its historical associations, makes it a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. ### Related Entities Skellig Michael is part of the Skellig Islands, a group of islets in Ireland. It is also located within County Kerry, a county in Ireland, and is associated with the archangel Michael, a figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic teachings. The island’s crag and tail formation is a type of geographic feature created by glaciation. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap) 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. GeoNames 5. BBC Things 6. [Source](http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/757) 7. Quora 8. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File