‘Star Wars’ crew returns to Skellig as weather calms

Filming for Star Wars: Episode VIII has begun on Skellig Michael with a break in the weather yesterday finally making it possible for the Disney Lucasfilm crew to access the island.

Boats left the pier in Portmagee, Co Kerry, after 7am in perfectly calm sea conditions while passenger boats remained moored— their owners compensated for loss of earnings.

Public access to the monastic settlement has been closed during filming; but boatmen, who are bound by confidentiality contracts, are being compensated.