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  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;13, 2006
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&#95;&#95;&#95;</DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER<BR>
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SkillSoft Public Limited Company</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Republic of Ireland</B><BR>
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation<BR>
  or Organization)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Not Applicable</B><BR>
  (I.R.S. Employer<BR>
  Identification No.)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>107 Northeastern Boulevard<BR>
  Nashua, New Hampshire</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>03062</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>2002 Share Option Plan</B><BR>
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Charles E. Moran<BR>
  President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
  SkillSoft Public Limited Company<BR>
  107 Northeastern Boulevard<BR>
  Nashua, New Hampshire 03062</B><BR>
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)<BR>
  <B>(603)&nbsp;324-3000</B><BR>
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
  </TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="17" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Title of Each Class</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">of Securities to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount to be</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Offering Price Per</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Aggregate Offering</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Amount of</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registered</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Registered (2)</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Share</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Price</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center">Registration Fee</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
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  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                      <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Ordinary Shares<BR>
  issuable under the<BR>
  2002 Share Option<BR>
  Plan (1)
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">5,100,000</TD>
      <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  
  <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$5.07(3)
  </TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  
  <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$25,857,000(3)
  </TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  
  <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$2,767</TD>
      <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="17" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Each Ordinary Share is represented by one of the Registrant&#146;s American Depositary Shares.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
      <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>In accordance with Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement shall be deemed to cover any additional securities that may from time to time be
  offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or
  similar transactions.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <TR>
      <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and based upon the average of the high
  and low prices of the Registrant&#146;s American Depositary Shares as reported on the Nasdaq
  National Market on April&nbsp;12, 2006.</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
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  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  <!-- TOC -->
  <A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>
  
  <P><CENTER>
  <TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
  <TR>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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  	<TD width="76%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">PART II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#012">INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b59973spexv5w1.htm">EX-5.1 Opinion of Maples and Calder, Solicitors</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b59973spexv23w2.htm">EX-23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLp</A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
  </CENTER>
  <!-- /TOC -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  
  
  
  <!-- link1 "PART I<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I<BR>
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;1. Plan Information.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The information required by Item&nbsp;1 is included in documents sent or given to participants in
  the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of
  1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;).
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The written statement required by Item&nbsp;2 is included in documents sent or given to
  participants in the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) of the
  Securities Act.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link1 "PART II<BR> INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II<BR>
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections&nbsp;13(a),
  14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), and in
  accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this registration statement by reference:
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The registrant&#146;s latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act or the latest prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that
  contains audited financial statements for the registrant&#146;s latest fiscal year for which such
  statements have been filed.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the
  end of the fiscal year covered by the document referred to in (a)&nbsp;above.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The description of the securities contained in the registrant&#146;s registration statements on
  Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
  updating such description.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and
  15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
  all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
  unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be
  part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
  superseded for the purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained
  herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
  reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration
  statement.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-1-
  </DIV>
  
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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maples and Calder, Solicitors has opined as to the legality of the securities being offered by
  this registration statement. Jennifer Caldwell, a partner of Maples and Calder, Solicitors, serves
  as Secretary to the Registrant.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The registrant&#146;s Articles of Association authorize the registrant to indemnify the directors
  and officers of the registrant against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in
  connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer. The registrant&#146;s
  subsidiary, SmartForce USA, which has merged with and into the registrant&#146;s subsidiary, SkillSoft
  Corporation, has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers and
  directors and officers of the registrant serving at the request of such subsidiary. The
  indemnification agreements under certain circumstances require the registrant, among other things,
  to indemnify such officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of
  their status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities arising from willful
  misconduct of a culpable nature) and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any
  proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The registrant has obtained
  directors and officers insurance providing indemnification for certain of the registrant&#146;s
  directors, officers, affiliates or employees for certain liabilities.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">Not applicable.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">The Exhibit&nbsp;Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  
  <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
      <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">1.</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD><U><I>Item&nbsp;</I><I>512(a)</I><I> of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I></U>. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</TD>
  </TR>
  
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
  of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
  forth in the registration statement; and
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
  previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
  information in the registration statement;
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%"><I>provided, however, </I>that paragraphs (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the information required to
  be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
  with or
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-2-
  </DIV>
  
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  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
  such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
  securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U><I>Item&nbsp;</I><I>512(b)</I><I> of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I></U>. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
  for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant&#146;s
  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated
  by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
  be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <U><I>Item&nbsp;</I><I>512(h)</I><I> of Regulation&nbsp;S-K</I></U>. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
  in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
  a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
  action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
  counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
  in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-3-
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  <!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
  has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
  thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Nashua, State of New Hampshire, on this 13<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP>
  day of April, 2006.
  </DIV>
  
  <TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
  <TR>
      <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="3" align="left">SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY<BR>
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Charles E. Moran
  &nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">Charles E. Moran&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR>
      <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR>
      <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  </TABLE>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned officers and directors of SkillSoft Public Limited Company, hereby
  severally constitute and appoint Charles E. Moran, Thomas J. McDonald and Patrick J. Rondeau, and
  each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them
  singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration
  statement on Form S-8 filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration
  statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as
  officers and directors to enable SkillSoft Public Limited Company to comply with the provisions of
  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange
  Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
  attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
  been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  </DIV>
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
  
  <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Signature</U></B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  
  <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Title</U></B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  
  <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Date</U></B></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  
  <TR>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  
  <TR valign="bottom">
  
  <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Charles E. Moran
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Charles E. Moran
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief
  Executive Officer and
  Director (Principal
  executive officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Thomas J. McDonald
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Thomas J. McDonald
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer<BR>(Principal financial and
  accounting officer)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ P. Howard Edelstein
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  P. Howard Edelstein
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stewart K.P. Gross
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Stewart K.P. Gross
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-4-
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Signature</U></B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Title</U></B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center"><B><U>Date</U></B></TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ James S. Krzywicki
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  James S. Krzywicki
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William F. Meagher, Jr.
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  William F. Meagher, Jr.
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Gregory M. Priest
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Gregory M. Priest
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  <DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
  Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">April&nbsp;13, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-5-
  </DIV>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  <H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
  
  <DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
  
  
  
  <!-- link1 "INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="012"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center">
  <TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
  <!-- Begin Table Head -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><u>Number</u>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top"><u>Description</u></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Maples and Calder, Solicitors</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Maples and Calder, Solicitors (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of attorney (included on the signature pages of this
  registration statement)</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
  </DIV>
  
  </BODY>
  </HTML>
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text: sv8
  Table of Contents
  As
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2006
  Registration No. 333-___
  UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C. 20549
  FORM S-8
  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
  THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
  SkillSoft Public Limited Company
  (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  Republic of Ireland
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation
  or Organization)
  Not Applicable
  (I.R.S. Employer
  Identification No.)
  107 Northeastern Boulevard
  Nashua, New Hampshire
  03062
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  2002 Share Option Plan
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  Charles E. Moran
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  SkillSoft Public Limited Company
  107 Northeastern Boulevard
  Nashua, New Hampshire 03062
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  (603) 324-3000
  (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
  CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
  Title of Each Class
  Proposed Maximum
  Proposed Maximum
  of Securities to be
  Amount to be
  Offering Price Per
  Aggregate Offering
  Amount of
  Registered
  Registered (2)
  Share
  Price
  Registration Fee
  Ordinary Shares
  issuable under the
  2002 Share Option
  Plan (1)
  5,100,000
  $5.07(3)
  $25,857,000(3)
  $2,767
  (1)
  Each Ordinary Share is represented by one of the Registrant's American Depositary Shares.
  (2)
  In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration
  statement shall be deemed to cover any additional securities that may from time to time be
  offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or
  similar transactions.
  (3)
  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(c)
  and 457(h) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and based upon the average of the high
  and low prices of the Registrant's American Depositary Shares as reported on the Nasdaq
  National Market on April 12, 2006.
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1. Plan Information.
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
  Item 4. Description of Securities.
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  SIGNATURES
  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  EX-5.1 Opinion of Maples and Calder, Solicitors
  EX-23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLp
  Table of Contents
  PART I
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
  Item 1. Plan Information.
  The information required by Item 1 is included in documents sent or given to participants in
  the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of
  1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
  Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
  The written statement required by Item 2 is included in documents sent or given to
  participants in the plan covered by this registration statement pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) of the
  Securities Act.
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
  The registrant is subject to the informational and reporting requirements of Sections 13(a),
  14, and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
  accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). The following documents, which are on file with the
  Commission, are incorporated in this registration statement by reference:
  (a)    The registrant's latest annual report filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act or the latest prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act that
  contains audited financial statements for the registrant's latest fiscal year for which such
  statements have been filed.
  (b)    All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the
  end of the fiscal year covered by the document referred to in (a) above.
  (c)    The description of the securities contained in the registrant's registration statements on
  Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
  updating such description.
  All documents subsequently filed by the registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and
  15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that
  all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining
  unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be
  part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
  superseded for the purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained
  herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
  reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded
  shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration
  statement.
  Item 4. Description of Securities.
  Not applicable.
  -1-
  Table of Contents
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
  Maples and Calder, Solicitors has opined as to the legality of the securities being offered by
  this registration statement. Jennifer Caldwell, a partner of Maples and Calder, Solicitors, serves
  as Secretary to the Registrant.
  Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
  The registrant's Articles of Association authorize the registrant to indemnify the directors
  and officers of the registrant against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in
  connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer. The registrant's
  subsidiary, SmartForce USA, which has merged with and into the registrant's subsidiary, SkillSoft
  Corporation, has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and officers and
  directors and officers of the registrant serving at the request of such subsidiary. The
  indemnification agreements under certain circumstances require the registrant, among other things,
  to indemnify such officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of
  their status or service as directors or officers (other than liabilities arising from willful
  misconduct of a culpable nature) and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of any
  proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The registrant has obtained
  directors and officers insurance providing indemnification for certain of the registrant's
  directors, officers, affiliates or employees for certain liabilities.
  Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
  Not applicable.
  Item 8. Exhibits.
  The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  Item 9. Undertakings.
  1.
  Item
  512(a)
  of Regulation S-K
  . The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
  (i)    To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
  (ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date
  of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
  forth in the registration statement; and
  (iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
  previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
  information in the registration statement;
  provided, however,
  that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the information required to
  be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed
  with or
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  furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
  Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  (2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
  such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
  deemed to be the initial
  bona fide
  offering thereof.
  (3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
  securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  2.
  Item
  512(b)
  of Regulation S-K
  . The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that,
  for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant's
  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated
  by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
  relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
  be deemed to be the initial
  bona fide
  offering thereof.
  3.
  Item
  512(h)
  of Regulation S-K
  . Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
  under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
  registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
  in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
  Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
  against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
  a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
  action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
  connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
  counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
  jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
  in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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  Table of Contents
  SIGNATURES
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
  has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
  has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
  thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Nashua, State of New Hampshire, on this 13
  th
  day of April, 2006.
  SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
  By:
  /s/ Charles E. Moran
  Charles E. Moran
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  POWER OF ATTORNEY AND SIGNATURES
  We, the undersigned officers and directors of SkillSoft Public Limited Company, hereby
  severally constitute and appoint Charles E. Moran, Thomas J. McDonald and Patrick J. Rondeau, and
  each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them
  singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration
  statement on Form S-8 filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration
  statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as
  officers and directors to enable SkillSoft Public Limited Company to comply with the provisions of
  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange
  Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said
  attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
  been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ Charles E. Moran
  Charles E. Moran
  President, Chief
  Executive Officer and
  Director (Principal
  executive officer)
  April 13, 2006
  /s/ Thomas J. McDonald
  Thomas J. McDonald
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Principal financial and
  accounting officer)
  April 13, 2006
  /s/ P. Howard Edelstein
  P. Howard Edelstein
  Director
  April 13, 2006
  /s/ Stewart K.P. Gross
  Stewart K.P. Gross
  Director
  April 13, 2006
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  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ James S. Krzywicki
  James S. Krzywicki
  Director
  April 13, 2006
  /s/ William F. Meagher, Jr.
  William F. Meagher, Jr.
  Director
  April 13, 2006
  /s/ Gregory M. Priest
  Gregory M. Priest
  Director
  April 13, 2006
  /s/ Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  Director
  April 13, 2006
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  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Number
  Description
  5.1
  Opinion of Maples and Calder, Solicitors
  23.1
  Consent of Maples and Calder, Solicitors (included in Exhibit 5.1)
  23.2
  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  24
  Power of attorney (included on the signature pages of this
  registration statement)