Production of Star Wars 8 is underway on Skellig Michael in Co Kerry

Earlier, sunshine and calm seas allowed cast and crew to get onto the island of the Kerry coast to begin filming.

Following the departure of boats and helicopters with equipment this morning, it is thought some of the main actors will be taken to the island this evening.

It is widely believed that among them will be Mark Hamill who plays Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise.

Gerard Kennedy of the Moorings Bar and Restaurant in Portmagee, told Radio Kerry that the area is due to get even busier in the coming days: "There's great activity of course, activity within the last two weeks here.

"There's a lot of people around, and I suppose the main people are coming in the next day or two and they're going to be shipping them out by helicopter, and by boat, out to the Skelligs, weather permitting.

"I suppose for the village here itself its been brilliant for the business and for all the local area, there's a lot of people are getting a bit of work out of it."