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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="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;26, 2006
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 1pt; margin-bottom: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-_____
  </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 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="42%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Republic of Ireland</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Not Applicable</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top">or Organization)
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">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</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>03062</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Nashua, New Hampshire</B>
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</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>2001 Outside Director 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>
  SkillSoft Public Limited Company<BR>
  107 Northeastern Boulevard<BR>
  Nashua, New Hampshire 03062</B><BR>
  (Name and Address of Agent For Service)
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><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>
      <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" 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" colspan="2">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed Maximum</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&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="2">Amount to be</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Offering Price Per</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Aggregate Offering</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount of</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</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="2">Registered (2)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Share</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Price</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Registration Fee</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</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 style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Ordinary Shares
  issuable under the
  2001 Outside
  Director Option
  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 style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">400,000</TD>
      <TD 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 colspan="3"  nowrap align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$5.47(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 colspan="3"  nowrap align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$2,188,000(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 colspan="3"  nowrap align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$234.12</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="23" 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 January&nbsp;24, 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>
  
  <!-- PAGEBREAK -->
  <P><HR noshade><P>
  
  <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="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="3%"></TD>
  	<TD width="76%"></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> PART II</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001"> Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002"> Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b58752spexv5w1.htm">Ex-5.1 Opinion of Maples and Calder, Solicitors</A></TD></TR>
  <TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="b58752spexv23w2.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 II" -->
  <DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B></DIV>
  
  
  
  <DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>STATEMENT OF INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE</B>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This registration statement on Form S-8 is filed to register the offer and sale of an
  additional 400,000 shares of the Registrant&#146;s ordinary shares, Euro 0.11 par value per share, to be
  issued under the Registrant&#146;s 2001 Outside Director Option Plan. Each ordinary share is
  represented by one of the Registrant&#146;s American Depositary Shares. This registration statement
  incorporates by reference the registration statement on Form S-8, File No.&nbsp;333-73882 (filed with
  the Securities and Exchange Commission on November&nbsp;21, 2001).
  </DIV>
  <!-- link2 " Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" -->
  <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;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;8. Exhibits" -->
  <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;8. Exhibits.</B>
  </DIV>
  
  <DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Exhibit&nbsp;Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  </DIV>
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-1-
  </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="003"></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 26<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP>
  day of January, 2006.
  </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="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">SKILLSOFT PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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>
      <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">&nbsp;
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">/s/ Charles E. Moran</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 1px">
      <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" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&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">&nbsp;
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Charles E. Moran
  </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">&nbsp;
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <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="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
  
  <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Charles E. Moran
  <DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">President, Chief Executive
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Charles E. Moran
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Officer and Director</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">&nbsp;
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">(Principal executive officer)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Thomas J. McDonald
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">(Principal financial and</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">&nbsp;
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">accounting officer)</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</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="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">P. Howard Edelstein</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"><!-- 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="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Stewart K.P. Gross</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"><!-- 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/ James S. Krzywicki
  <DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">James S. Krzywicki</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </DIV>
  
  
  <P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">-2-
  </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="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
  <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ William F. Meagher, Jr.
  <DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">William F. Meagher, Jr.</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"><!-- 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="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Gregory M. Priest</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"><!-- 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<BR>
  <DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Director
  </TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">January&nbsp;26, 2006</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom">
      <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Ferdinand von Prondzynski</DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Body -->
  </TABLE>
  </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">
  
  
  <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="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
  </TR>
  <TR valign="bottom" style="font-size: 6pt">
  <TD colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
  </TR>
  <!-- End Table Head -->
  <!-- Begin Table Body -->
  
  <TR valign="bottom">
  
  <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Memorandum of Association of
  SkillSoft PLC as amended on March&nbsp;24, 1992, March&nbsp;31, 1995,
  April&nbsp;28, 1998, January&nbsp;26, 2000, July&nbsp;10, 2001,
  September&nbsp;6, 2002, and November&nbsp;19, 2002 (Incorporated by
  reference to exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to SkillSoft PLC&#146;s Quarterly
  Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
  October&nbsp;31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission on January&nbsp;21, 2003 (File
  No.&nbsp;000-25674)).</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">4.2
  </DIV></TD>
      <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
      <TD align="left" valign="top">Articles of Association of
  SkillSoft PLC as amended on July&nbsp;6, 1995, and April&nbsp;28,
  1998, January&nbsp;26, 2000, July&nbsp;10, 2001, September&nbsp;6,
  2002 and November&nbsp;19, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to
  exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to SkillSoft PLC&#146;s Quarterly Report on
  Form&nbsp;10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October&nbsp;31, 2002 as
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January&nbsp;21,
  2003 (File No.&nbsp;000-25674)).</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 January 26, 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
  Not Applicable
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation
  (I.R.S. Employer
  or Organization)
  Identification No.)
  107 Northeastern Boulevard
  03062
  Nashua, New Hampshire
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  (Zip Code)
  2001 Outside Director Option Plan
  (Full Title of the Plan)
  Charles E. Moran
  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
  2001 Outside
  Director Option
  Plan (1)
  400,000
  $5.47(3)
  $2,188,000(3)
  $234.12
  (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 January 24, 2006.
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PART II
  Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
  Item 8. Exhibits
  SIGNATURES
  Ex-5.1 Opinion of Maples and Calder, Solicitors
  Ex-23.2 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  Table of Contents
  PART II
  INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  STATEMENT OF INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
  This registration statement on Form S-8 is filed to register the offer and sale of an
  additional 400,000 shares of the Registrant's ordinary shares, Euro 0.11 par value per share, to be
  issued under the Registrant's 2001 Outside Director Option Plan. Each ordinary share is
  represented by one of the Registrant's American Depositary Shares. This registration statement
  incorporates by reference the registration statement on Form S-8, File No. 333-73882 (filed with
  the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2001).
  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 8. Exhibits.
  The Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.
  -1-
  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 26
  th
  day of January, 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
  President, Chief Executive
  January 26, 2006
  Charles E. Moran
  Officer and Director
  (Principal executive officer)
  /s/ Thomas J. McDonald
  Chief Financial Officer
  January 26, 2006
  Thomas J. McDonald
  (Principal financial and
  accounting officer)
  /s/ P. Howard Edelstein
  Director
  January 26, 2006
  P. Howard Edelstein
  /s/ Stewart K.P. Gross
  Director
  January 26, 2006
  Stewart K.P. Gross
  /s/ James S. Krzywicki
  Director
  January 26, 2006
  James S. Krzywicki
  -2-
  Table of Contents
  Signature
  Title
  Date
  /s/ William F. Meagher, Jr.
  Director
  January 26, 2006
  William F. Meagher, Jr.
  /s/ Gregory M. Priest
  Director
  January 26, 2006
  Gregory M. Priest
  /s/ Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  Director
  January 26, 2006
  Ferdinand von Prondzynski
  -3-
  Table of Contents
  INDEX TO EXHIBITS
  Number
  Description
  4.1
  Memorandum of Association of
  SkillSoft PLC as amended on March 24, 1992, March 31, 1995,
  April 28, 1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001,
  September 6, 2002, and November 19, 2002 (Incorporated by
  reference to exhibit 3.1 to SkillSoft PLC's Quarterly
  Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
  October 31, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
  Commission on January 21, 2003 (File
  No. 000-25674)).
  4.2
  Articles of Association of
  SkillSoft PLC as amended on July 6, 1995, and April 28,
  1998, January 26, 2000, July 10, 2001, September 6,
  2002 and November 19, 2002 (Incorporated by reference to
  exhibit 3.2 to SkillSoft PLC's Quarterly Report on
  Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2002 as
  filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 21,
  2003 (File No. 000-25674)).
  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)