Italian documentary producer and writer Paola Bizarri has long followed her instinct toward places of deep energy and ancient wisdom. With over 30 years’ experience as a personal spiritual coach and teacher in natural medicine, Paola has travelled to sacred locations across the globe. But it was in South Kerry — and more precisely, on a quiet pier in Ballinskelligs — where a new chapter of her journey truly began.

Documentary - Skellig Michael

Discovering Ballinskelligs Bay

Six years ago, Paola came to Ireland for the very first time. Her destination: Skellig Michael, the mystical monastic island that rises dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean. Planning the trip with a group of students, she consulted a guidebook, which mentioned just two piers that facilitated the select number of boats who are licensed to land on the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Portmagee and Ballinskelligs. Her next decision changed everything.

“I don’t know why, but something inside told me to go from Ballinskelligs. When I arrived, I felt a special resonance. I fell in love immediately with Ballinskelligs Bay — the energy, the light, the sense of peace. It felt like I had arrived somewhere sacred.”

The trip to Skellig Michael left her in awe. Known the world over as a UNESCO World Heritage site with many areas of protected environmental islands and areas all around, now within Ireland’s first marine national park, Páirc Naisiúnta na Mara, the island awakened what she describes as a “mystical dimension” — a powerful inner experience connected to its 6th–7th century monastic history. That first visit has since led to many returns, each time revealing something new and unexpected.

Bringing the Monks’ Voices to Life 

Following her visits, and after publishing two books on sacred sites linked to the Archangel Michael’s leyline across Europe, Paola felt called to bring the story of Skellig Michael to screen. Her documentary, Skellig Michael: The Monks’ Island, was filmed entirely in Ireland and includes interviews with experts, historians, and spiritual guides.

“This was not just a film, it was a calling — to give voice to the monks who lived there so many centuries ago, and to the silence that still surrounds them. What heritage and what mystery does this special rock hold? The belief in the spiritual power of Archangel Michael endures and invites pilgrims to listen to the sound of the past — a sound that speaks to the soul.’’

The documentary explores what Paola calls the “powerful energy and spirituality” of the island, often referred to as “The Cathedral in the Ocean. We’re delighted to share an exclusive preview from Skellig Michael: The Monks’ Island — an atmospheric glimpse into the story of the monks and the energy of the island:

The Stars Look Down

Skellig Michael — its isolation, beauty, and clarity of sky — also reignited another of Paola’s lifelong fascinations: the stars.

“The monks contemplated the stars. And they remind us to continue to do the same. For me, the stars are like angels — they watch over us from above. This book is for all those seeking light, to begin a transformation like the caterpillar becoming a butterfly.’’

In 2017, she wrote a book in Italian about the role of stars in human evolution. She has now completed the English version, titled The Stars Look Down. The book blends astronomy, literature, science, and spirituality, exploring how starlight influences human growth and awareness.

 

New Book Launching in Kerry This July

“There is a reason I return here. Kerry is a land that holds something ancient, something alive — and for me, it’s a place where the stars seem a little closer.

Now deeply connected to the people and landscape of South Kerry, Paola has chosen the region as the place to launch her new book. The event — planned for July — will be hosted near Ballinskelligs and will include a screening of her documentary, as well as readings and reflections inspired by her work.

www.skelligmichaellisoladeimonaci.com/