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Sceilg Mhichíl Faces Intensifying Climate Change Threats, New Assessment Reveals
New climate vulnerability assessment identifies climate adaptation solutions to safeguard Ireland’s Sceilg Mhichíl, developed in collaboration with Preserving Legacies, a National Geographic Society project
The dry-stone architecture of the medieval Monastery on Sceilg Mhichíl could be at risk due to climate change hazards according to a newly published climate vulnerability assessment. Photo credit: Michael O. Snyder/Preserving Legacies
Michael O. Snyder/Preserving Legacies
KERRY, IRELAND (November 12, 2025) — Sceilg Mhichíl, a UNESCO World Heritage Property off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, is confronting escalating threats from climate change, according to a new Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA). This newly published comprehensive report, supported by the National Geographic Society’s Preserving Legacies project, combines expert analysis with stakeholder input to identify and propose adaptation strategies for climate risks impacting the site.
The report outlines the following heightened risks threatening Sceilg Mhichíl:
- Impact on Birdlife: Higher ocean temperatures may be causing changes to food availability for breeding birds, impacting the natural heritage Outstanding Universal Value, a criteria for Sceilg’s UNESCO World Heritage List inscription.
- Vegetation Loss and Habitat Degradation: Increased salt spray combined with longer dry periods is contributing to vegetation loss and potential habitat loss for bird species.
- Impact on medieval Monastic structures: Increased rainfall is impacting on monuments due to increasing pressure and soil saturation.
Inscribed in 1996 for its "outstanding universal value,” Sceilg Mhichíl is one of only two World Heritage Properties in Ireland. Its isolation has contributed to the remarkable preservation of its cultural landscape, including the preserved early medieval monastic settlement and intact dry-stone architecture, and makes it an ideal habitat and vital location for breeding seabirds. Sceilg Mhichíl also gained international recognition when it was used as the location for Luke Skywalker’s Jedi hideaway in two “Star Wars” films.
"By combining their professional heritage expertise with the Preserving Legacies climate change training, site custodians, individuals that care for heritage places, Fergus McCormick and Connie Kelleher have led a truly groundbreaking risk assessment and adaptation process for Sceilg Mhichíl,” said National Geographic Explorer Victoria Herrmann and Preserving Legacies Executive Director. “They both embody the program's model of cascading hope, where custodians learn from and inspire one another."
With the known and potential risks now identified, the assessment also outlines solutions site custodians and community partners can implement to safeguard Sceilg Mhichíl’s ecological, cultural, and spiritual significance for current and future generations.
Climate change is a major threat to Sceilg Mhichíl resulting in increased rock fall on the island, said Fergus McCormick Senior Architect, Office of Public Works (OPW) National Monuments Killarney District. “Climate change adaptation is important for the viability of Sceilg Mhichíl as a World Heritage Property and tourist destination. This climate change risk assessment is an important tool to address the impacts of climate change on Sceilg Mhichíl.
The site custodians said the learnings from this report, combined with provisions of the Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Management Plan 2020-30, will be invaluable in helping build a roadmap for the future of safeguarding Sceilg Mhichíl.
“The impact of climate change is affecting the way we approach conservation, archaeology and ecology. We stare into a future which is uncertain, and we have to accept that the heritage we strive to protect is fragile and precious,” said Terri Sweeney Meade, Assistant Principal Architect, Head of Conservation, OPW. “Sceilg Mhichíl is a unique place, a sacred island in the Atlantic Ocean that resonates with people on a spiritual, folkloric, natural and cultural level. Its unique heritage belongs to the whole world and implementing visitor management, biodiversity and ecological protection measures, all underpinned by science, will help all of us protect and cherish Sceilg Mhichíl long into the future.”
The assessment outlines a range of climate adaptation solutions, including:
- Diversification of Tourism: Developing alternative attractions like guided boat trips and mainland visitor centers to reduce pressure on the main site, and increasing local involvement through "on-mainland experiences" and educational initiatives.
- Increasing staff presence and expertise: Increasing staff presence on the island year-round for site management and improving ability to bring in specialized expertise when needed.
- Monitoring and Research: Filling knowledge gaps through avian population surveys, soil analysis, continuous remote surveys of built heritage, rockfall monitoring and onsite weather monitoring.
- Risk-Reduction Measures: Reevaluating the effectiveness of "rock sweeps" which are opportunities for staff to identify and reduce rock hazards that are increasing due to weathering and erosion and considering re-seeding vegetation on slopes.
- Sharing Adaptation Knowledge: Positioning Sceilg Mhichíl as a model for wider climate action, promoting green energy and using the site as an educational tool on climate change impacts and adaptations.
“The launch of the CVA Report for Sceilg Mhichíl World Heritage Property marks a conclusion to our initial assessment process, but this is by no means the end,” said Dr. Connie Kelleher, Senior Archaeologist, in Ireland’s National Monuments Service. “The National Monuments Service and Office of Public Works benefitted greatly from the expertise provided by the National Geographic Preserving Legacies team, and the assessment process also drew on other technical experts and critically, from local community participants. This engagement will continue. A collaborative approach is critical to addressing the results of the CVA assessment, as set out in the Report, and to ensure a unified approach to climate change adaptation for this magical and unique place off our southwestern shore.”
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"This is a time for solutions, and our Preserving Legacies project is a great example of an action-oriented global initiative that equips communities with the scientific knowledge and technical training to develop place and people-based climate adaptation strategies,” said Ian Miller, chief science and innovation officer at the National Geographic Society. “By supporting and capacitating local change-makers communities can drive adaptation strategies that protect what they cherish most.”
“The Preserving Legacies project is about working together to protect our most special places, and it was our great pleasure to work with our colleagues from the National Monuments Service and the Office of Public Works on this risk assessment,” said Will Megarry, Principal Investigator, Preserving Legacies and Reader in Archaeology at Queen’s University Belfast. “This report highlights the importance of Sceilg Mhichíl both to the local community, but also as an international site of outstanding universal value. It further reflects the incredible efforts already made to protect the diverse cultural and natural heritage of Sceilg Mhichíl and provides a basis for future action which will protect this incredible site for future generations.”
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Preserving Legacies
Preserving Legacies is a global organization dedicated to safeguarding humanity’s cultural and natural places from the impacts of climate change. By supporting local change makers with training, tools, and connections to equitably adapt what their communities cherish most, they are redefining resilience to build a more just and thriving future. Their three-stage framework – capacity-building, risk assessment, and adaptation action – scales to support hundreds of sites worldwide, from iconic places like Petra in Jordan to locally-renowned treasures like Sceilg Mhichíll in Ireland. Their partners include National Geographic Society, International Council on Monuments and Sites, and the Climate Heritage Network. Learn more at heritageadapts.org.
About The National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization that uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Since 1888, National Geographic has pushed the boundaries of exploration, investing in bold people and transformative ideas, providing more than 15,000 grants for work across all seven continents, reaching 3 million students each year through education offerings, and engaging audiences around the globe through signature experiences, stories and content.
To learn more, visit www.nationalgeographic.org or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.
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