Portmagee
Boats leave here for the Skellig Islands, and the village runs on their timetable in season. Portmagee is a village on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.
Best sites to see in Portmagee
Skellig boat trips from Portmagee marina
Portmagee is one of the main departure points for boat trips to the Skellig Islands, including landing tours to Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Valentia Island bridge
The bridge from Portmagee crosses to Valentia Island, giving access to Knightstown, the Skellig Experience Centre and the island's cliff and lighthouse walks.
Kerry Cliffs
Dramatic cliff viewpoints a short drive west of the village, looking out to the Skelligs and Puffin Island.
Portmagee harbour
A small working fishing harbour on the channel between the Iveragh Peninsula and Valentia Island, lined with pubs and seafood restaurants.
Where to stand, and when
- Portmagee pier at sunset: Evening light falls across the harbour and the channel towards Valentia Island.
- Kerry Cliffs viewpoints: Go on a clear morning for the sharpest views out to Skellig Michael and Small Skellig.
- The bridge to Valentia Island: Photograph boats in the channel below the bridge in calm early-morning conditions.
Portmagee through history
The village takes its name from Theobald Magee, an 18th-century figure associated with trade through the harbour.
Skellig Michael, reached by boat from Portmagee, holds an early medieval monastic settlement and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nearby Valentia Island was the eastern terminus of the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable, completed in 1866.
Practical tips
- Skellig Michael landing tours are limited, seasonal and weather-dependent; book months ahead and keep a spare day in case of cancellation.
- Landing tours involve a steep climb of over 600 stone steps with no facilities on the island, so bring water, food and suitable footwear.
- If boats are cancelled, the Skellig Experience Centre across the bridge on Valentia covers the islands' story indoors.
Golf near Portmagee
Portmagee is the practical base for Waterville Golf Links, about 20 minutes east: an Eddie Hackett course at the end of the Ring of Kerry, enhanced by Tom Fazio. The club publishes no rate card; listings run around €425 depending on date.
Our full guide to golf in Ireland
What's on
No anchor festival is based here, but the Irish year is full: next up nationally is TradFest (20–24 Jan 2027, Temple Bar, Dublin). See the full events calendar