Editing Skellig Michael (section)

===Coves===
The island's three main [[cove]]s are Blind Man's Cove to the east, Cross Cove to the south and Blue Cove to the north.{{sfn|Lavelle|1976|p=39}} Each can be used as access points from the sea. All three have steps carved into the rock from their landing point to above sea level.{{sfn|Lavelle|1976|p=41}} The main landing [[cove]] is on the recesses of the eastern side; known as Blind Man's Cove,{{sfn|Lovegrove|2012|p=156}} it is exposed to sea swells and high waves, making approach difficult outside the summer months. The bay's [[pier]] is positioned under a sheer cliff face, populated by large numbers of birds. It was built in 1826 from an area known as the Flagstaff and leads to a small stairway leading to the now disused lighthouse. The steps divide into two staircases, the earliest and largely abandoned path leading directly to the monastery.{{sfn|O'Shea|1981|p=8}}

Blue Cove is the most difficult landing point and is only approachable on an average of 20 days per year. Noting the inaccessibility of the island, writer Des Lavelle observes that "the fact that the monks of old undertook the giant task of constructing a stairway to this bleak cove is a good argument that the weather conditions then were far better than now."{{sfn|Lavelle|1976|p=41}}