Little Skellig (Irish: Sceilig Bheag) is a small, steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 km off the Iveragh Peninsula of County Kerry, Ireland.[2] It is one of the two Skellig Islands, together with the larger Skellig Michael. Little Skellig is a nature reserve and bird colony. Landing on Little Skellig is not allowed.[2]
Little Skellig is the smaller of the two Skellig Islands, the other being Skellig Michael, 1 km to the south-west.[1] The islands rose c. 374–360 million years ago during a period of mountain formation, along with the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range. Later, they were separated from the mainland by rising water levels.[3][4]
The island has a large bird population, including a colony of northern gannets which is the largest in Ireland,[1] and one of the largest in the world.[2] The island, together with Skellig Michael, is part of a 364 ha Important Bird Area established by BirdWatch Ireland in 2000.[1] BirdWatch Ireland has designated Little Skellig as a nature preserve. It houses over 35,000 breeding pairs of gannets.