Skellig Michael guide chief wants major filming banned

The head of the guiding service on a Unesco world heritage site has said no large-scale film production should ever be allowed there again. 

Skellig Michael, an internationally-recognised seabird colony, was last July the scene of a three-day shoot for the next Star Wars film, which aroused controversy because of the island’s ecology and secrecy surrounding the entire operation.

In a letter to the Department of Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Bob Harris said no filming on the same scale should be allowed take place on the island if its build and natural heritage is not to be compromised.

He also voiced concerns about the lack of a proper debate on the suitability of the island, lying 12km off the Kerry coast, for filming, especially during the bird breeding season.

Mr Harris, head guide on Skellig Michael since 1987, said that preliminary helicopter activity before filming resulted in damage to nesting sites and the loss of an undetermined number of unfledged chicks.

His views are contained in documents obtained by Radio Kerry through the Freedom of Information Act relating to correspondence between the film company and several State agencies, including the Department of Defence, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Irish Aviation Authority.

The filming drew criticism from environmentalists and ornithologists who were concerned at the impact on Special Protection Area for several bird species including puffins, storm petrels, kittiwakes, and fulmars.

The rock has monastic remains dating the sixth century and has been a site of Christian pilgrimage for more han a thousand years.

Restrictions were imposed on the film company while filming was taking place and there was a State archaeologist present at all times.

Mr Harris said that while the film crew displayed great sensitivity to the fragility of the island during their time there, large-scale filming projects were unsuitable to the delicately balanced habitat.

He added that the secrecy around the filming was detrimental to its efficient planning and that it was unfortunate that it took place at the most critical period of the year for nesting seabirds.