PICS: A woman in Kerry has had a road laid outside her house thanks to Star Wars

The Healy-Raes aren’t the only ones getting things done in The Kingdom.

As Irish Star Wars fans will probably know all too well, the cast and crew will be returning to Ireland this year to film scenes for Episode VIII – the follow up to the hugely successful The Force Awakens – in Kerry and Donegal. The presence of Star Wars is likely to provide a huge boon for tourism in both counties – Kerry is already feeling the benefit from the presence of Skellig Michael in The Force Awakens – but that’s not the only benefit that comes with being involved in one of the biggest movie franchises of all time. A reader who wishes to remain anonymous contacted JOE to send evidence of a 1.5 kilometre roadway being laid in Ceann Sí Beal in Ballyferriter in Kerry that connects the road (a tiny boreen) to the mountain where scenes for the new movie will be filmed. Not only will that help the crew haul equipment and ensure easier access to the mountain, it has also improved the road network for locals in the area and for those who own holiday homes, like the pleasantly surprised mother of our anonymous friend. An official date for when filming will begin in the Kingdom is not yet known but the pictures would suggest it could be sooner rather than later, but it’s nice to know that the Star Wars crew are doing their bit for the locality while they’re around. Helpful ones they are.