Star Wars to awaken force in Donegal for newest installment
Location scouts secretly visited Ireland’s most northerly point at Malin Head last October. It has now been confirmed that Lucasfilm is expected to return to Ireland in May to shoot at locations in the area.
Minister of State at the Department of Arts Joe McHugh confirmed that he was aware negotiations are at an advanced stage to film scenes in the area.
“There are still a few things to be sorted with the department, including foreshore licences, but I’m confident that will be taken care of,” said Mr McHugh.
“This will be a massive opportunity to promote the area globally and while there still a few i’s to be dotted and t’s to be crossed, I would welcome it.
“I would also see it as a superb opportunity to highlight the Wild Atlantic Way and all it has to offer.”
Filming in Donegal is expected to last more than a month. The tourism spin-offs are expected to be huge. Already a number of B&Bs and rental homes in the Malin Head area have been booked out by film crews working with Lucasfilm.
The latest installment of the Star Wars saga, Episode VII: The Force Awakens was partially filmed on the Kerry island of Skellig Michael.
The cast and crew are carrying out preparatory work ahead of shooting Episode VIII scenes in Kerry.
Locals near Sybil Head have noted the presence of security and the construction of new access points to the headland. The Irish Film Board confirmed 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.
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