The filming of two Star Wars films in Ireland has resulted in over €4 million being generated for the local economy, with Tourism Ireland saying it "will continue to maximise the Star Wars connection with Ireland".
Filming of Star Wars: The Force Awakens helped Skellig have its most successful tourist season in 2016 while there was further filming for the next film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, in Malin Head, Donegal and at Mizen Head in Cork, which is to be released in December, reports the Irish Independent.
Despite the publicity garnered from the films, concerns had been raised over filming on Skellig Michael - which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - resulting in the island's monastic site being reconstructed at Ceann Sibéal for further filming.
Tourism Ireland commented that "screen tourism success" resulted in Ireland welcoming a 13 per cent increase in overseas visitors for the first six months of last year. "The fact that the next episode [Star Wars: The Last Jedi] was also shot on location along the Wild Atlantic Way is another fantastic coup for Irish tourism. Tourism Ireland will continue to maximise the Star Wars connection with Ireland," said a Tourism Ireland spokesperson.
