Blockade in force on Skellig Michael for Star Wars filming

The force was strong on Skellig Michael yesterday as the navy set up an exclusion zone to prevent anyone from sneaking a peek as the Star Wars team rolled into town.

The traditional fishing village of Portmagee, Co Kerry, was only stirring when a security team arrived at the local marina at 6am yesterday — the only sign that something unusual was underway.

Soon, there was activity among the dozen local ferries conveying tourists to Skellig Michael.