Permanent fencing will not be installed at Skellig Michael off the coast of south west Ireland, following an independent study into safety at the World Heritage Site.

Dublin-based engineering consultants Byrne Ó Cléirigh conducted the safety review, which was commissioned after two visitors lost their lives in separate incidents on the island last year. The Office of Public Works (OPW) has started work on implementing a number of the report's recommendations, which have been accepted by the minister of state at the Department of Finance, Martin Mansergh.

According to the study, the installation of permanent fencing will not be required unless "necessary to protect sensitive areas of the monument or natural heritage" or when repair works are being carried out. An OPW spokesperson said: "As a tangible expression of OPW's efforts to promote as safe a regime as possible on the island, a steel chain has now been fixed on the inner wall along the ledge, where the fatalities are reported to have occurred last year, and the steps alongside the ledge have been reconfigured.

"The Commissioners of Public Works will comply with the recommendations of the safety report, while continuing to carry out their responsibility to manage, conserve, maintain and present this unique and magnificent heritage landscape." Skellig Michael - situated 8 miles (12km) off the Kerry coast - is one of two World Heritage Sites in Ireland, together with Brú na Boinne in County Meath.

Image: Skellig Michael – mym of druidic.org