Skellig Michael ferry challenge settled and struck out

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court dispute over Skellig Michael landing permits was settled and struck out on Tuesday, June 24, after the Office of Public Works had been allowed to lift the suspension on permits for the 2025 season.

The challenge was brought by Atlantic Endeavour Ltd and SMBT Ltd, trading as Skellig Michael Boat Trips, after the two unsuccessful bidders disputed the permit allocation. Their counsel told Mr Justice Garrett Simons that the matter had been resolved and that the July hearing could be vacated. The OPW agreed to pay their costs.

The earlier ruling allowed the OPW to issue permits to 15 successful tenderers for the balance of the 2025 season. It did not decide whether those operators could have exclusive landing rights in later seasons; that question had remained for the substantive case before the settlement.