Valentia Island Island
Irish island with ancient fossils and coastal scenery
Valentia Island off County Kerry attracts walkers and geology enthusiasts-fossil tetrapod trackways, coastal cliffs and the Skellig Ring views bring day-trippers and photographers.
Valentia Island at a Glance#
Address: Valentia Island, County Kerry, Ireland
Admission: Ferry fares vary by operator and season; entry to island sites may have small fees (e.g., heritage sites)
About Valentia Island#
Valentia Island lies off the southwest coast of County Kerry, Ireland, and is one of the country’s most westerly inhabited islands. It is historically important as one end of the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable completed in 1866.
The island offers coastal cliffs, headlands and sheltered bays with viewpoints over the Wild Atlantic and toward the Skellig Islands. Visitors use the island for walking, heritage interpretation focused on the transatlantic cable, and local village services concentrated in Knightstown.
The island’s maritime and geological heritage has been the subject of conservation and interpretation; bedrock exposures on the island are part of regional geological interest. Valentia is connected to the mainland by a short bridge and lies close to the Iveragh Peninsula and mainland towns such as Cahersiveen.
Valentia Island is situated off the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, accessible by road across a small bridge from Portmagee and by ferry services in the region. It occupies a coastal position facing the Atlantic and the Skelligs.
- Transatlantic cable landing: One end of the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable was landed here in 1866, and interpretive displays at the island explain that history.
- Geology and views: The island forms part of a designated geopark with rock exposures of Devonian age; coastal cliffs and headlands provide views of the Skellig Islands and Atlantic sea lanes.
What to See#
- Cromwell Point (cable landing): Cromwell Point and the cable station - the western tip of the island that served as a landing point for the 1866 transatlantic telegraph cable and hosts interpretation material about the cable connection.
- Knightstown: Knightstown - the island’s principal village and service centre with ferry and road connections, local shops and visitor facilities.
- Valentia Lighthouse and headlands: Valentia Lighthouse and viewing terraces - coastal viewpoints that look out toward the Skellig Islands and the Atlantic seascape, popular for sunsets and marine views.
How to Get to Valentia Island#
Valentia Island is connected to the mainland by the Valentia Bridge near Portmagee. Ferries to nearby Skellig Michael depart from Portmagee during the season. From Cahersiveen the island is about a 15-20 minute drive.
Tips for Visiting Valentia Island#
- Take the car ferry if planning to explore the island - it allows freedom to reach remote headlands and the lighthouse.
- Visit the Great Skellig viewpoint and local heritage sites earlier in the day to avoid ferry timetables that return visitors mid-afternoon.
Best Time to Visit Valentia Island#
Late spring through summer offers the best weather and the most ferry services; shoulder seasons are quieter but weather can be changeable.
Weather & Climate near Valentia Island#
Valentia Island's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1529 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 5° - 9° | 3° | 177 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 5° - 9° | 3° | 136 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.8h |
| March | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 125 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.5 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 82 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 81 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 16° | 13° | 82 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 18° | 15° | 88 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.9h |
| August | Acceptable | 12° - 18° | 15° | 115 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Acceptable | 11° - 17° | 14° | 131 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 9° - 14° | 11° | 171 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Poor | 7° - 11° | 6° | 167 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 174 mm | overcast | 83% | 6.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
