In a kingdom not too far, far away.
Not since the Empire was destroyed in Return of the Jedi, or the Kingdom's last All-Ireland title in 2014, have the people working in Kerry's tourism industry have had as much cause to celebrate than the imminent arrival of Star Wars : Episode VII - The Force Awakens.
The jaw dropping scenery of Skellig Michael will play a pivotal role in what's set to be the biggest film of the year and there's no doubting that the financial force is strong with this one. People are predicting that over 8 million tourists will be travelling to Ireland on the back of the film's cultural impact.
We're counting the seconds until Luke Skywalker makes his much expected return to the big screen but in the meantime,
The New York Times have published a lovely tribute to one of the most breathtaking places on earth.
Here's their take on...
It's unique appeal
"Its remote location has kept the island, a Unesco site, under the radar — luring far fewer (and far more adventurous) souls than other Irish wonders with a high-wattage wow factor, such as the Cliffs of Moher."
The locals who met Mark Hamill
Like many in Portmagee, he (ferryman Declan O’Driscoll) had signed a nondisclosure agreement, giving up the right to dish details of the filming. But you’d sooner keep a Wookiee from roaring than an Irishman from regaling a willing audience, and soon Mr. O’Driscoll was dishing away. “A bunch of us boatmen were standing around, and Mark Hamill came over,” he recalled. “He said, ‘Any advice for climbing the stairs?’ We told him, ‘Just pace yourself, and don’t ever, ever look down.’”
The jaw-dropping scenery
There was something mournful and beautiful about it all: the six beehive-shaped monastic cells huddled together, two boat-shaped oratories, as well as crude stone crosses, serving as grave markers, and the ruins of a medieval church. The views over the Atlantic were endless, and gulls and gannets soared and dived, their cries echoing with either anguished loneliness or triumphant salvation, possibly a bit of both.
Images via
PeterCox.ie
