Our Kerry cousins have the upper hand on one thing.

We might be a bit reluctant to admit it, but there’s no denying that Kerry boasts some truly spectacular sights —especially the awe-inspiring Skellig Michael.

This magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site takes the spotlight in an exhibition by Ballydehob-based star photographer John Minihan, which runs from now until December 21st at the Exhibition Space at UCC’s Boole Library.

The popularity of pilgrimages to Skellig Michael has grown steadily in recent years after it starred as the ancient planet Ahch-T in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. Now with the 2023 summer season tours of the famed island finished, there is a new way to discover this stunner of an attraction.

Minihan, celebrated for his iconic portraits of luminaries like Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney, Francis Bacon, Edna O’Brien, and Lady Diana Spencer, has turned his lens to a different kind of star.

For years, he has photographed Skellig Michael and its surroundings, capturing the island’s innate beauty and the man-made marvels crafted by the monks who arrived in the 6th century.

 

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Minihan explains: “Skellig Michael was the perfect assignment for me and my Rolleiflex Camera, loaded with black and white film. There’s a spiritual presence that fills me with peace and hope.”

His photographs not only showcase the island’s external beauty but also capture the essence of a place that has held spiritual significance for centuries.

If you’ve ever yearned to embark on your own pilgrimage to Skellig Michael or are simply captivated by the allure of this enchanting island, make a date with this exhibition. May the art be with you.