In a Galaxy Not So Far Away… Ireland Feels 'The Force'

PR62902

DUBLIN, Dec 17, 2015 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    An island off Ireland's south west coast is wowing audiences at screenings

of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

    To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

    http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7718351-ireland-feels-the-force

    Unveiled in the film's closing minutes, this closely guarded secret ending

to Episode 7 was filmed in September 2014 on Skellig Michael Island, a UNESCO

World Heritage Site.

    Since 1977, the record-breaking movie franchise has travelled through many

galaxies, and this time, director JJ Abrams along with cast and crew jetted

into a little village called Portmagee, County Kerry, on Ireland's Wild

Atlantic Way. From here, they travelled eight miles (12 Km) by sea to a dream

film location, Skellig Michael.

    Locals were told a documentary was being filmed but were amazed when they

realised that Star Wars was being filmed in their community. Gerard Kennedy of

'The Bridge Bar and Moorings Guesthouse' in Portmagee, said:

    "It's been so hard to keep this secret! It was such a weird and wonderful

experience for our small village to be part of the Star Wars story. We enjoyed

evenings of music and dance in our bar with the cast and crew. Mark Hamill even

learned how to pull a pint with our barman, Ciaran Kelly!"  

    More background and stories about Star Wars filming on Skellig Michael are

available here:

    http://www.ireland.com/starwars  

    TV and Film are recognised as strong influencers on travellers, with up to

35% of people being impacted in their choice of destination by what they see on

screen. Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland, comments:

    "Star Wars filming in Ireland will bring the magnificent scenery of Skellig

Michael to the attention of millions of people around the world. It's a really

effective way to reach audiences, helping to significantly boost awareness of

the Skelligs, the South West and Ireland in general, whetting peoples'

appetites to come and visit."

    Skellig Michael is accessible only by boat. Today it's inhabited solely by

birds, but monks settled here over a millennium ago and the beehive huts that

they lived in are restored and can be visited from May to September each year,

but advance booking is essential.

    Kerry, is aptly also one of only three Gold Tier International Dark Sky

reserves in the world. The beautiful band of the Milky Way, the Andromeda

Galaxy, star clusters and nebulas are just some of the naked eye wonders to see

without the aid of any astronomical equipment or filters.

         (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151217/296824 )

SOURCE: Tourism Ireland