Return of the Jedi: Kingdom’s star quality shines again as Star Wars returns to Kerry

‘Star Wars’ is returning to the Kingdom with preparatory work for a fresh round of filming taking place on Sybil Head.

Locals in the area have noted the presence of security and the construction of new access points to the headland, while the Irish Film Board confirmed that permits had been provided for a film project in the area.

It emerged last year that producers behind the franchise had earmarked Ceann Sibéal in the western end of the Dingle Peninsula as suitable for scenes in the next part of the series, due to be released in 2017, with filming likely in the next couple of months.

One local said yesterday the security and groundwork in evidence on Ceann Sibéal was “definitely” for Star Wars: Episode VIII.

In a statement the Irish Film Board said: “Permits for a project to film in Sybil Head have been granted by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.”

A spokesperson for the Minister for Arts, Heather Humphries, said the department has approved a proposal for a limited amount of filming by a film production company on Ceann Sibéal/Sybil Head on the Dingle Peninsula later this year.

“The particular location involved is privately owned and part of working agricultural land, within an SPA [Special Protection Area] and it is also used by walkers and tourists,” the spokesperson said.

“The department’s National Parks and Wildlife Service, having examined the proposal in detail, is satisfied that filming will not adversely affect the integrity of the SPA, nor have an adverse impact on biodiversity. Permission for filming has been granted subject to strict conditions. A departmental habitats expert will be present during the shoot. Filming on Sybil Head is not expected to start for a number of months.”

The departmental letter of consent, issued last Saturday, includes a specification that a helicopter only be used for three days and that it can film 100m from the cliff top for 45 minutes in any one day. Personnel in the area is to be limited to a maximum of 100 during filming.