'Star Wars' Turned This Tiny Irish Island Into a Tourist Hotspot

Skellig Michael is site of pivotal scene in latest movie
Rock island is home to ruins of 6th-centry monastery

Skellig Michael.
Source: Tourism Ireland

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By Dara Doyle

January 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM UTC

When “Star Wars: The Force Awakens" premiered in Dublin, the room broke out in applause at the sight of national treasure Skellig Michael. Now, the country wants the world to discover the island.

A climactic scene of the latest installment was filmed on the vast, jagged rock a short boat trip from a fishing village in County Kerry. Tourism Ireland commissioned the movie’s producer, Lucasfilm, to make a short promotional film, in which director J.J. Abrams discusses why Skellig Michael was chosen.