Arrivals & Departures Ireland's Skellig Michael a force in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The island of Skellig Michael, along with Ireland's most northerly tip at Malin Head, was picked by Star Wars location scouts to represent Ahch-to — the oceanic planet home to an exiled Luke Skywalker. 

Skellig Michael, off Ireland's south-west coast, first appeared in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, doubling as Luke Skywalker’s hide out. 

In September 2015, actors Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley returned to shoot the first scenes for The Last Jedi at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The cast returned to Ireland the following year to shoot at Malin Head — part of the Wild Atlantic Way touring route — on the Inishowen Peninusla in County Donegal.

Other filming locations included Loop Head in County Clare, Ballyferriter in County Kerry — where the crew recreated the 6th-century monastic "beehive" huts of Skellig Michael along a headland called Sybil Head — and Brow Head near Crookhaven, County Cork.

Fact File

• The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest defined coastal route in the world at 2500km. See wildatlanticway.com for more.
• To get to the Skelligs, head to Kerry and one of three ports — Portmagee, Ballingskelligs and Caherdaniel — where approved boat operators depart for the islands, which are 11.6km from the mainland. Boats depart mid-May to September, Irish weather permitting. It’s recommended travellers book in advance. More information at ireland.com.
• For more on Ireland and its Star Wars connections, visit ireland.com/starwars.