Desolate, remote and forbidding they may be, but the Skelligs (Michael and Little), whose first historical reference dates back to 1400BC, are a fantastic and highly recommended site to visit - for those very reasons. Some 8 miles off the Kerry coast from Portmagee, Valentia and Ballinskelligs, these Unesco Heritage Sites rise majestically out of the sea, stubbornly withstanding the Atlantic's forces, to offer you a once-in-a-lifetime visit. As well as the 6th Century monastic settlements and 'beehive huts' that have to be seen to be believed, the rocks are home to some 23,000 pairs of gannets, making them the second largest gannet colony in the world. Because of its location and the whims of the sea, guided tours such as that offered by skelligislands.com (Tel: +353(0)66 947 2437) venture out at various times, depending on conditions, so check and re-check your booking, and there are safety precautions to adhere to, but rest assured, the trip will be worth it.