Skellig Michael is an Irish archaeological complex of significant cultural heritage importance. The long tradition of antiquarian, archaeological and architectural research has revealed the existence of an array of medieval churches, houses, pathways, terraces and other features, which led, in 1996, to  Skellig Michael being recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, one of only three on the island of Ireland, Bru na Boinne and The Giants causeway being the other two.

Skellig Michael is clearly a site that should be open to the public, to support the ongoing appreciation of its cultural heritage and to inform people of its future management. However, dramatically situated on high cliffs, exposed to weathering and erosion of wind, wave and indeed rising visitor numbers, Skellig Michael is also clearly a site that requires careful and ongoing maintenance and archaeological and architectural conservation. IAI recognises and supports the long-standing committment, expertise and qualifications of the institutions and individuals involved in these conservation efforts, which are vital to securing the site both for the Irish people and for the world, to maintain and conserve the site for the future.

It is recognised that the management and conservation of signficant archaeological complexes requires careful planning and execution, supported principally through the preparation, publication and adherence to an integrated management plan. Such management plans have already been prepared and published, some in draft form, for similar UNESCO World Heritge Sites. IAI recommends the publication of the current Skellig Michael management plan, to outline and clarify the context,scope and extent of conservation works being carried out there. It is suggested that such publication would enable clarification of some issues recently raised about the conservation works on the site.