PRINCE MICHAEL THE FIRST. - a photo on Flickriver

            TIME MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 11 1944............................

Europe had a new royal house last week. In Dublin newspapers appeared a personal pronouncement: "I, Prince Michael Neale, landowner, will assume the title of Prince of the Saltees at the conclusion of the war. Also I wish it to be known that no one will be permitted to enter the Saltee Islands without a permit issued by me." Anybody caught interfering with the millions of birds or their eggs which inhabit those islands will be severely dealt with.

Prince Michael Neale is Eire's No. 1 manufacturer of cattle dip. As a County Wexford farmer's son, he used to lie on a cliff top in the long grass and gaze south across St. George's Channel to the tiny, haze-blue Saltee Islands. Since his first name was legally Prince, it was easy for a farm boy to daydream: "Some day I'll own those islands and become a real prince." He took to calling the Saltees "Paradise."

By last year he had sold enough dip to buy the Saltees. He began planting 3,000 trees, developing his domain as a luxury tourist resort. He also talked about recruiting a private army.

But last week Prince Neale had a right royal headache. To a reporter the Dublin prince-presumptive confided: "My wife, a Liverpool woman, is a bit shy about using the title of Princess. . . ." He added thoughtfully: "Anyone who does not call me Prince will be ignored."

---------------------------------------------------------------

The late Michael the First was both a colourful character and a legend in his own life time. Married to Anne he is survived by his family of five sons and one daughter. Both Michael and Anne are buried in the family vault in Bannow Bay Co.Wexford.

In around the year 1920 the nine year old Michael made a vow to his Mother that one day he would own the Saltees and become their first Prince. Twenty three years later in December 1943 he realised his dream.  However his coronation on the Great Saltee did not take place until July 1956.
 
A throne, flag-staff and obelisk were shipped to the Great Saltee, the obelisk bearing a plaque with his likeness in profile. The throne is a memorial to his mother and features a coat of arms and the following inscription: 
 
"This chair is erected in memory of my mother to whom I made a vow when I was ten years old that one day I would own the Saltee Islands and become the First Prince of the Saltees.  Henceforth my heirs and successors can only proclaim themselves Prince of these Islands by sitting in this chair fully garbed in the robes and crown of the Islands and take the Oath of Succession"  -  Michael the First.
 
One of the first jobs undertook on the Great Saltee was the levelling of a field in the centre of the island as a landing strip for his private airplanes. He was taught to fly by Capt.Darby Kennedy (Weston Aerodrome) and regularly flew his Miles Messenger aircraft to the islands. Between 1945 and 1950 over 34,000 trees and shrubs were planted on the island. The most successful of these were Cordyline Palms, which are flourishing to this day.  
The Newspaper articles worldwide regarding Michel the First are in their hundreds.  
"It was never my intention to make a profit from these islands.  Day visitors are welcome to come and enjoy at no cost.  Bird watchers will always remain welcome." - Michael the First. 
 
To this day the Neale family have upheld his wishes.
---------------------------------------------------------
 The Saltee Islands, consisting of the Great and Little Saltee, St. Georges Channel are situated approximately 5 kilometres off the coast of Kilmore Quay Co.Wexford. The larger island Great Saltee is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland and is very popular with both day-trippers and birdwatchers. These Islands are privately owned and are one of the world's major bird sanctuaries.

The Saltees are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of birds, from Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also lie on an important migratory route and a popular stopping-off place for spring and autumn migrants. The Great Saltee also has a breeding population of Grey Seals, one of the very few in eastern Ireland. Up to 120 animals are present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced annually. 

These Islands are among the ancient islands of Europe, based on Pre-Cambrian bedrock i.e. between 600 and 2000 million years old. There is archaeological evidence that Neolithic man settled there, and traces of religious settlements exist. There is also evidence of buccaneering and smuggling. A flourishing period in the history of the islands was from about 1500 - 1800 when they were a base for pirates, wreckers and smugglers. The gains of the wreckers and smugglers could very well be hidden in the many caves which have mysterious and romantic names - Lady Walker's Cave, Happy Hole, Otter's Cave and Hell Hole, enough for any Treasure Island. These and other caves can be clearly seen on The Great Saltee Map (Information Page).

The waters around the islands can be treacherous, hence the area is know as the "Graveyard of a Thousand Ships" and the islands their tombstones.

One of the most spectacular sights on the Saltees in mid-Summer are the sea birds colonies on the cliffs to the north-east of the Gannet headland. Vast numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills pack the ledges and create a frightful incessant din which only at night abates a little. The Fulmars too play their part in this splendour. Towards dusk the sight of the Puffins congregating in small groups near their nestling sites presents a marvellous sight. 

If the Saltees had any other name before their present title, it has been long lost. As for the origin of the name there are two possible theories, Norse or of Old or Middle English derivation. However the name suggests a Norse origin (Salt ey - salt island) derived from the phenomenon of the salty spray which sweeps across the islands at times of high winds and waves, especially during the winter. 

Since December 1943 the Saltees are privately owned by the Neale family. Prince Michael the First died in January 1998 and is buried in the family vault in Bannow Bay, Co.Wexford. He has been succeeded by his eldest son Michael the Second. 

Permission for day visits to the Great Saltee, by courtesy of the Neale family, is not needed. Permission to visit the Little Saltee can not be granted due to the hazardous landing conditions.  However we would like all visitors to respect these islands and in the words of the late Prince Michael the First.

"All people, young and old, are welcome to come, see and enjoy the Islands, and
 leave them as they found them for the unborn generations to come, see and enjoy."

                                                                                                           Michael the First
 
These sentiments expressed and carved in stone welcomes all visitors to these islands, erected above the landing steps on the Great Saltee.

Taken in: Ireland / Wexford (show map)

Taken on: May 17, 2011

Tags:

PRINCE MICHAEL THE FIRST

SALTEE ISLANDS

EDWARD DULLARD PHOTOGRAPHY. KILKENNY, IRELAND

IRLANDA

IERLAND

IRISH

EMERALD ISLE

EIRE

IRELAND

NATURE

LANDSCAPE

ColorPhotoAward « less

Groups appears in: • "Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST! (Post 1 Award 3)" • *SHINING★STAR - Post 1- Give 5 Stars more » • Colour Art Awards -=Post 1, Award 3=- (Colours ONLY) • Click! P1-C2 • Dazzling Shots | Post 1 comment 5 | • Discovery Photos: Post 1, Vote for 3 • "History & Antiquities (Post 5 - Award 3)" • Royal Group - Have a Good Light ! • DIAMOND HEART (Post 1-Comment 3) • Flickr Number One !! • Historical and architectural gems • ***SCREAM OF THE PHOTOGRAPHER*** • ** with SKY ~Post 1 Award 3~ • Beautiful Expression • !Group Tripod (post1~comment4) • ***FLICKRPEDIA*** House of Knowledge/Please comment on 3 • "FLICKR POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHER" POST1/AWARD3 QUALITY IMAGES ONLY • Brilliant Photography! Award 3 , Sweeper is On! • A.T.M PHOTOGRAPHY " Post 1 Award 3 " *Sweeper* • MAGIC TOUCH (P1 / A1) • Dragonfly Awards * Post1 - Award 3 * *Sweeper Active* • **THE BEST VISIONS** ( Post 01, Award 03 ) • Amsterdam Blog Associates - Urban Creatives • A Black Rose - Post 1/Award 3 → NO sales or 2end Life!! • Absolutely Perrrfect:SWEEPER!! • CREATIVA (fotos creativas - creative pics)- post 2 comment 2- • COLORS OF THE SOUL ♡Post 1 - Comment 2♡ • Digital Ireland! • *ABSOLUTELY beautiful*post1-comment1 • Divine Captures * Post 1 - Award 3 * *Sweeper Active* • ***A Place For Great Photographers*** Administration Approval • !* VAN GOGH AWARD (Post 1 / Award 2) • ***Parisinita & friends NEW !!! (P1,C2) • SNIPPETS OF LIFE - RECORTES DA VIDA P1/A3 • Love for Photography ♥ Amor pela Fotografia ♥ P1/A2 • ***FOTOGRAFIA EMOCION ♥ EMOTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY*** • Landscape Beauty - Beleza de Paisagem / Landscapes Only! • Love for Life --- Amor pela vida! Post 1 comment 1 • FIVE STARS ★★★★★ [P1-C2] Invite Only • flickr Travel Award (Post 1 - Award 3) • 6-Gli insetti preferiscono le ortiche - Free images • GROUP CLOSED? TROLL ALERT!! • 🌐 WONDERS OF EARTH -Post 1 - Cmt 2- • LORD BYRON - MAD, BAD and DANGEROUS TO KNOW • LES ARTISTES DE LA VILLE EXPOSENT • Union of Free Photographers • WONDERS OF ARCHAEOLOGIE & ARCHITECTURE *P1/C1 • Relax - it's sunday! P1/C1 • Preferences and Personal Choices (P1 / C1) • PANEM ET CIRCENSES / BREAD AND CIRCUSES-P1/C1 • Irish Cemeteries and Graveyards « less

Stats: 71,317 views / 145 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: