With Skellig Michael taking a starring role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys has hailed the impact the film will have on tourism in the area.
Scenes from the sci-fi blockbuster, which is released this Thursday, December 17, were filmed on the monastic island and director JJ Abrams and crew also returned to the island last September to film more scenes for the next Star Wars instalment.
Today Minister Humphreys said: “This week, millions of film fans will be treated to the incredible beauty of Sceilg Mhichíl, as Star Wars: The Force Awakens is released internationally. This is arguably the most eagerly anticipated film of all time and it is quite something to think that a remote part of South West Kerry is set to feature in it."
JJ Abrams and Minister Humphreys
The UNESCO world heritage site off the coast of Kerry features in a key scene in the new movie and concerns had been raised by several organisations, including An Taisce, who described the location as an area of exceptional sensitivity, and feared the bird population could be affected.
According to the Minister strict environmental and ecological conditions were put in place to ensure the filming did not have a negative impact on the site and its bird life.
“I am looking forward to seeing how Sceilg Mhichíl will feature on the big screen," Minister Humphreys said. "The impact of this global exposure on our film and tourism sector is hard to quantify.
She added: “I would like once again thank all of those, especially the local people in Kerry, who made the shoot possible. The Star Wars shoot illustrated, once again, that Ireland is a fantastic location for major movie production."
The tourism spin off certainly worked for New Zealand after the Lord of the Rings Trilogy was filmed there - so the the sight of busloads of light-sabre wielding tourists could soon be on the horizon for the Kingdom.
As a special thank you to the people of Kerry a special screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is taking place on Thursday at lunchtime at the Killarney Cineplex, which means they will be among the first to see the blockbuster and of course the spectacular local scenery.
Meanwhile - not be left out - Dublin is getting in on the act with the Spire being turned into a gigantic light sabre for tomorrow night's midnight screenings. It will be specially lit up for the Premiere - kinda cool it has to be said.
Dublin's spire is being turned into a massive light sabre
Watch TEN's interview with Star Wars star John Boyega
