The force surrounds Skellig Michael for filming of a new Star Wars movie at the World Heritage Site.
Local boatmen ferried crew members from Portmagee to Skellig Michael for the second day of filming, but for the cast it was a much shorter journey by helicopter from a helipad on Valentia Island. Security guards ensured it remained strictly off limits to the media and public
The Irish Naval Service is also providing security around the Skelligs during film production from the LÉ Samuel Beckett and has imposed a two-mile maritime blockage and no-fly zone around the island.
The seventh installment of the Star Wars series is an opportunity for Ireland to promote some of our most spectacular scenery. This has huge potential for local communities, says Joanne Cahill of Valentia Island Development, as fans will travel to see the film locations,
You'll have them coming to the island for many years to come.
Valentia Island Tourism chairman Vincent Kidd welcomes the film industry to Kerry.
It’s great to see a global production come in and showcase our island.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 July 2014. The reporter is Paschal Sheehy.
