The climatic scenes in the new blockbuster movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” were filmed in the Skellig Islands, eight miles off the coast of Portmagee in South West Kerry. Rising majestically from the sea, Skellig Michael towers 714 feet (218 metres) above sea level. On the summit is a remarkably well- preserved sixth century monastic settlement. On the spectacular Small Skelligs, some 23,000 pairs of gannet nest on every available ledge, making it the second largest gannet colony in the world.
An island off Ireland’s southwest coast is wowing audiences at screenings of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” 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 in Co. Kerry on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. From there, they travelled eight miles by sea to a dream film location, Skellig Michael.

Locals were told a documentary was being filmed, but were amazed when they realized that “Star Wars” was being filmed in their community. Said Gerard Kennedy of The Bridge Bar and Moorings Guesthouse in Portmagee: “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!”

Added Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland: “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.