The force is strong with tourism

SURGE IN TOURISM DIRECTLY LINKED TO STAR WARS SHOOT IN KERRY

TOURISM Ireland has linked Kerry’s role in the Star Wars movies with the surge in overseas visitors coming to Ireland this year.

The number of tourists coming to Ireland surged in the first half of the year with a 13 per cent increase in the number of overseas visitors coming to the country in the period.

According to Central Statistics Office figures 507,400 extra tourist had visited Ireland by the end of June compared with the same period in 2015 when 3.5 million arrivals were recorded.

While Tourism Ireland said the increase is down to many factors the tourism promotion body said the filming of Star Wars Episode VII and VIII in Kerry had played a major role.

“Star Wars brought the magnificent scenery of Skellig Michael and the Wild Atlantic Way to the attention of millions of people everywhere,” Tourism Ireland said in a statement.

“The fact that the next episode was also shot on location along the Wild Atlantic Way earlier this year is another fantastic coup for Irish tourism and Tourism Ireland will continue to maximise the Star Wars connection with Ireland,” said Tourism Ireland.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which filmed several scenes on Skellig Michael, has grossed $2 billion making it the third most successful film of all time.

Scenes for the next Star Wars movie – which is due for release in December 2017 – were filmed at Skellig Michael and at Ceann Sibéal in west Kerry. The film is expected to replicate the success of The Force Awakes.

Star Wars fans have been visiting south Kerry and the Skelligs in droves since The Force Awakens was released and West Kerry can expect a similar boost when Episode VIII hits cinemas.

Tourism Ireland will be launching another major promotional campaign to tie in with the film’s release.