A no fly zone for Skellig Michael is being considered to safeguard the famous island’s future.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is concerned amid rising reports of drones being flown over the monastic site which features in the Star Wars franchise.
Skellig Michael was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 – but there has been a huge spike in overseas visitors since it was used in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The OPW warns of risk of damage to the site, of visitors slipping on the steep rocks after being distracted by drones, and that birdlife will be disturbed.
Internal records detail drone sightings over the last year with operators hoping to capture dramatic footage of the site to rival its appearance in the Star Wars movies.
At least some of the drones are being launched from private boats circling the islands over which the OPW have little control.
Handwritten reports on activity around the Skelligs detail extensive drone activity at the island as well as frequent disputes over boats being allowed to land there.
One report from July said: “In addition to several other attempts for unpermitted small craft to land on Saturday, one rib with six aboard insisted on continuing beyond helipad despite refusal.
“Another party angry at refusal on Sunday. Normal attempts at such arrivals but just very numerous this week.”
A ‘Star Wars’ tour boat also got into trouble that month and was forced to come in to facilitate engine repairs.
In September, more drones were spotted as well as a jet ski in the vicinity of the island. The report said: “Several drones flown during week – some not possible to trace.”
A drone even appeared on the day that OPW Minister Patrick O’Donovan came to visit the island on September 3, according to the records.
“Drone flown from boat just off southside of island,” said a report, “request made to bring drone down complied with.”
A spokeswoman for the OPW said the heritage service viewed with “some alarm” the unsupervised and unregulated flying of drones in the vicinity of any national monument.
She added: “Regarding Sceilg Mhichíl in particular, it is essential that a balance is maintained between tourism strategies for the region and the preservation of the site.”
She said that a recently published action plan would work towards the implementation of a ban on drone usage in a one-kilometre exclusion zone around the monastic site, apart from authorised use.
