in the footsteps of THE LAST JEDI

THERE are few film franchises as popular and as globally adored as the Star Wars films and Kerry now plays a starring role in the beloved science fiction series.

Since the Kingdom made its first appearance in the Star Wars movies fans of the films have been arriving in Kerry in droves to get a first hand look at the locations that appeared in the movies.

Ceann Sibéal in west Kerry and Skellig Michael off the south Kerry coast provided the backdrop for the much of the most recent film in the blockbuster science fiction series, The Last Jedi, while the world famous UNESCO site also featured in the closing moments of the previous film, The Force Awakens.

In the Star Wars universe Kerry - and specifically Skellig Michael – portrays the largely water covered planet of Ahch-To which is home to one of the first temples built by the Jedi order, the force using, lightsabre wielding warrior monks who are the main characters of the franchise.

In the films Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker – the star of the original Star Wars movies - has exiled himself on the planet where he lives as a hermit and is eventually tracked down by the series’ new star Rey played by Daisy Ridley.

The Last Jedi sees Skywalker begrudgingly agree to train Ridley’s character and Kerry provides the setting for almost a third of the blockbuster film.

Now with the backstory out of the way lets look at where the movie was actually filmed in Kerry.

Although the scenes in the film were set on Skellig Michael several other locations were used as duplicates for the island.

Though the Star Wars crew did conduct two brief three to four day shoots on the island - in July 2014 for the Force Awakens and in August 2015 for The Last Jedi – the difficulty and tricky logistics of filming on the island led the film makers to seek another location that could double for Skellig Michael.

The solution was found at Ceann Sibéal in West Kerry where, in May 2016, the Star Wars Crew spent two weeks filming on the cliffs and in an enormous replica of Skellig Michael’s famous beehive huts and monastery that was built on the scenic headland.

Brief scenes were also filmed at Malin Head in Donegal, at Loop Head in Clare and at Brow Head in Cork.

The scene filmed in Brow Head where Rey stares out over a stormy ocean provided one of the most iconic images in The Last Jedi and to find it you just need to drive a few kilometres south west from Crookhaven village.

While the Cork location will be of interest to movie fans Kerry is the place to be if you want to visit the main locations used in the movie.

Obviously the first place fans will want to see are The Skelligs and to get to the islands Portmagee should be your first port of call.

Most of the tour boat operators who serve the island are based in Portmagee and trips to the island can be easily booked in the village. An alternative is to visit Derrynane/Caherdaniel where another of the boat operators is based.

Those planning a trip to the island should be aware that places on the boats are very limited and it’s best to book well in advance. Weather can also be an issue and in stormy conditions don’t be surprised if all trips to the island are cancelled at short notice.

Many of the boatmen were actually involved in the shoot – ferrying cast and crew to and from the island so you might be able to pick up a few behind the scenes anecdotes.

If you can’t actually get out to Skellig Michael a quick trip over the mountain from Portmagee to St Finians Bay will afford stunning views of the island and it is the nearest you can get to it by road on the mainland.

You can also pop into The Moorings Bar where Mark Hamill was famously photographed serving pints of the black stuff to locals when filming wrapped on Skellig Michael.

The Guinness Tap used by the Jedi has been preserved for posterity and visitors will find it just inside the door of the bar.

Those interested in learning more about the film shoot might also enjoy a trip to Waterville where many of the cast, including Mark Hamill, stayed during the Skellig shoot. The Butler Arms Hotel – once Charlie Chaplin’s annual holiday retreat – would be a good place to start.

Getting to the set in West Kerry is much easier though it should be noted the exact site of the shoot – on the cliff tops at Ceann Sibéal - is on private property and cannot be accessed without the express permission of the landowners.

You can still get quite close to the site on public roads to take a few snapshots of the stunning vista.

To get to the location head west from Dingle and drive about 18 kilometres towards Ballyferriter from where Ceann Sibéal is clearly signposted.

You could also consider calling into Foxy John’s pub at the top of Main Street in Dingle where the Star Wars cast and crew held their wrap party at the end of their Irish shoot.

So film fans, enjoy the holiday, and may the force be with you.