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PA WIRE

Skellig Michael closed to public as Star Wars filming begins

Cast and crew members flew into Kerry Airport yesterday on a private jet.

STAR WARS FILMING is starting on Skellig Michael this morning.

The island, 12 kilometers off the coast of south Kerry, is being used in the opening scenes of Star Wars Episode VIII.

Skellig Micheal is the largest of the Skelling Islands and was the site of monastic settlements for hundreds of years before the 12th century.

Environmental groups like An Taisce has raised concerns about the delicate ecology of the site being affected by filming

However, Arts Minster Heather Humphreys said those opposed to the filming on environmental grounds are wrong.

Humhpreys said that an ecologist and specialist departmental staff will be present for the duration of the filming and will have the authority to stop or modify filming at any point, should any concerns arise.

Permission was granted to Disney-owned Lucasfilm to return to the island to film last week.

Cast and crew members flew into Kerry Airport yesterday on a private jet.

The makers of ‘The Force Awakens’ are expected to film again for two to four days.

The island will be closed to the public during filming.

Read: Skellig Wars Episode II: The Minister Strikes Back>

Read: Star Wars filming did not harm Skellig’s bird population, Minister insists>

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40 Comments
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jan 26th 2015, 1:56 PM

    Hopefully they’ll invest money in what are some of the most soulless and dated hotels in the country. They have the name of being nothing short of knocking shops. Bit of time effort and money is badly needed.

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Jan 26th 2015, 2:30 PM

    They don’t need to. They have close to full occupancy every night. They don’t try or want to be a five star.

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    Mute Matt B
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    Jan 26th 2015, 3:36 PM

    I don’t know when you last stayed in one….. They are much improved compared to 5 or 6 years ago.

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    Mute trickytrixster
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    Jan 26th 2015, 1:38 PM

    The jury is out on this deal

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    Mute Hal Pacino
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    Jan 26th 2015, 1:41 PM

    Terrible!

    62
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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Jan 26th 2015, 1:54 PM

    Here’s your coat, what’s your rush?

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    Mute Krystian Brzezowski
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    Jan 26th 2015, 4:24 PM

    Maybe they will finally invest some money in staffing, as at the moment they are running nowadays ”labour camps”

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    Mute Krystian Brzezowski
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    Jan 26th 2015, 9:12 PM

    And why am I getting red thumbs? Has anyone worked in those camps?

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    Mute Ben Gunn
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    Jan 26th 2015, 5:28 PM

    €130,000 per room? Sounds juicy. Product of ultra low interest rates I guess.

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    Mute Uncle Mort
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    Jan 26th 2015, 2:33 PM

    The original Jury’s in Dame Street was a real hotel and the bar was particularly nice, as Joni Mitchell put it
    “Don’t it always seem to go
    That you don’t know what you’ve got
    Till it’s gone

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    Mute Justin Devaney
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    Jan 26th 2015, 3:02 PM

    Is that Joan Mitchell from the liberties, Pats wife?

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