Amid an air of scrutiny and consternation from some quarters the Irish Film Board has issued an announcement with regards to the return of film crews to Skellig Michael, for the filming of the next part in Disney/LucasFilms’ Star Wars saga.
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The Irish Film Board very much welcomes the announcement by Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys that she has granted consent to the filming in Sceilg Mhichíl in September 2015
Film production in Ireland creates many benefits for Irish culture and the Irish economy. International production locating in Ireland brings together major international creative talent working with Irish personnel, providing creative interaction and stimulating job creation throughout the country. The resulting films also project images of Ireland throughout the world, generating tourism into Ireland, particularly in this case to Ireland’s western seaboard and Wild Atlantic Way. Twenty per cent of all tourists to Ireland have said that their decision to visit was influenced by film.
The IFB welcomes back the filmmakers to Ireland to the magnificent setting of Sceilg Mhichíl and extends to them best wishes for a successful shoot.
[quote title=”James Hickey – Irish Film Board, CEO”]I would like to extend again a very warm Irish welcome to the filmmakers returning to Sceilg Mhichíl and to wish them the very best for the filming, which we hope will be as successful as the previous visit. We very much appreciate their help and cooperation in bringing arrangements for this short visit to a satisfactory conclusion.[/quote]
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Scenes from Star Wars: The Force Awakens were filmed on the island, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site in July and August 2014, which will reportedly act as the base for returning character Luke Skywalker. Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in Ireland on December 17th.