Force remains undisturbed after Skellig Michael shoot

There has been no disturbance in the force on Skellig Michael, it seems, as a newly released report finds filming for the latest Star Wars blockbuster had no adverse impact on the island.

The investigation, published yesterday by Arts Minister Heather Humphreys, said Lucasfilm’s activity on the Unesco World Heritage site earlier this year did not affect seabirds, their habitats or the biodiversity on the island.

In fact, only two minor incidents were recorded during filming, which took place over the course of three days in September, and neither affected the outstanding universal value of the site, the report stated.

The first incident took place when a crew member snagged their jacket sleeve on the edge of a stone at the entrance to the Upper Monks’ Garden area.

The report, which was compiled by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Monuments Service, said this opening was “immediately propped up and repaired” by masons from the Office of Public Works.

A second incident involved a small amount of diluted water-based paint which was spilled onto a rock adjacent to the Wailing Woman. The report said “highly absorbent spill pads were used to immediately mop up the spill” and it posed no danger to birds or their nests.

“The two minor incidents reported were dealt with immediately, and will have no long term impact whatsoever and no ecological consequence,” said Ms Humphreys. “The reality is that the filming posed no greater challenge to the island than the 180 people who visit it every day during tourist season.

“This report outlines the extremely thorough approach which was taken by the experts supervising the shoot and the cast and crew from Lucasfilm during the three days of filming last month. The strict conditions laid down by my department were fully adhered to, ensuring there was no negative impact on the World Heritage site.”

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The minister said her department liaised with the production company for months before consent to film on the island was granted “to ensure that every necessary safeguard was put in place”.

“This project has again proven that natural environments and film making can work in unison, providing the right checks and balances are in place,” she said.