Rogue One: A Star Wars Story has four very cool Irish connections that you might not know about

Paul Moore

We’re taking over the galaxy…

Star Wars has a strong tradition of filming in Irish locations with Cork, Kerry, Donegal and Clare all set to feature in the galaxy that’s far, far away. That’s not all though because Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will also be representing the Emerald Isle.

Irish actors have also starred in the world’s most beloved saga with Liam Neeson and Bronagh Gallagher starring in Episode I: The Phantom Menace whilst Dermot Crowley played General Madine in Return of the Jedi. Mark Hamill has also been enamored with Irish culture and we’re happy to say that the Irish force is also strong with the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The latest trailer was full of little teasers and mind-blowing shots, but these small references to Ireland are very cool.

1) Jyn’s mysterious help

At the start of the trailer, we see that Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is being held captive. At the 0:36 minute mark, a band of rebels help her escape and one of her newfound allies definitely has an Irish accent.

RO1

2) A new planet named after Clare?

It seems that the majority of the jaw-dropping action sequences will be taking place on a new planet named Scarif – the sand dunes of the Maldiives looked like they saw plenty of action as the Rebel Alliance took on the Empire.

Scarif

If you know your Irish geography then you’ll also know that there’s a town called Scarriff in Co, Clare. Coincidence?

Scariff2

3) A Dub helped to create the Rebel Alliance

The character of Mon Mothma has been a stalwart in the Star Wars universe. She has featured in Return of the Jedi, Revenge of the Sith and The Clone Wars series. Caroline Blakiston originally played the character in Episode IV, but Irish actress Genevieve O’Reilly has since taken over the mantle.

Mon Mothma was one of the founders of the Rebel Alliance, and the first Chief of State of the New Republic.

4) Jyn’s mother

Down actress Valene Kane will be playing Jyn Erso’s mother in Rogue One. Due to the fact that she’s very close in age to Felicity Jones, it’s likely that we’ll only be seeing Kane via flashback but it’s still a huge break for the actress who starred in The Fall and ’71 among others.

Aside from these Irish-centric treats, here’s a little tidbit that we stumbled across while watching the trailer for the 7,32nd time. Gareth Edwards has previously spoken about Jedha – the planet on which Felicity Jones’s Jyn Erso and her fellow rebels band together in the film.

We’ve been told before that “[Jedha] came from the fact that the era our film is set in, in theory, doesn’t have any Jedi,”. Take a look at this, at first it seems like just a mountainous pattern but look closer. Cool, eh?