We were very anxious to visit the Skelligs; those rocky Islands, whose fantastic shapes form such fine features in the sea-views of this neighbourhood. But although the weather is beautiful, we have been told that to land on those Islands would be impracticable, while the wind is in this quarter.

The following interesting account of these curious Islands is given by a gentleman in the neighbourhood.

“The first mention of the Skelligs in Irish History, occurs at the period of the landing of the sons of Milesius; when Irr, one of the brothers, who was drowned, is stated to have been buried there. The tale of their possessing the virtue of attracting all birds flying over them, has probably its origin in the fact, that they are the only rocks along this coast on which the Gannet breeds. This bird, from the extreme length of wing, and shortness of its feet, is, like some of the swallow tribe, incapable of rising from any plain surface, and therefore only builds and roosts on the verge of precipices, where it may fling itself off into the air, which it does much after the fashion that an experienced swimmer plunges from a height into the water.