Skelligans

Skelligans is a term used informally to refer to the inhabitants of the Skellig Islands, a pair of rocky islands located off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. Historically, the islands are most famous for the incredibly preserved 6th-century monastic settlement on Skellig Michael, one of the two islands. This settlement, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housed a community of monks who lived in extreme asceticism.

The term "Skelligan" itself is not a formal or recognized ethnonym. It is a colloquial descriptor that likely arose from the proximity of the islands and the historical significance of the life that was once sustained there. The islands themselves are now uninhabited, with the exception of the wildlife that thrives on their rugged terrain, including large colonies of seabirds.

Despite the lack of a permanent human population, the Skellig Islands, and by extension the concept of a "Skelligan," evoke a sense of resilience, isolation, and deep historical connection to Ireland's early Christian past. The islands' remote and dramatic landscape has also contributed to their allure in modern culture, notably appearing in the Star Wars film saga. The term remains a niche descriptor, primarily understood by those familiar with the history and geography of the region.