Skellig Michael has been named as one of the most beautiful movie locations in the world.
The island of the coast of the Dingle Peninsular is a former monastery and the remains of the structures and steps are still in place today.
Skellig Michael is also home to hundreds of puffins, which nest and raise their young there each year.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was a hugely popular tourist attraction in its own right but when the Star Wars producers chose to shoot one of their movies there its reputation went through the roof.
Travel site Big Seven compiled a list of the ‘most beautiful movie locations in the world’.
As you might imagine, there are plenty to choose from.
The number one spot was handed to Angkor Thom, Cambodia where Angelina Jolie and co shot Tomb Raider.
The home of the Sound of Music Salzburg, Austria came in second place, while third was Skiathos, Greece – setting for Meryl Streep and co to shoot Mamma Mia.
The shooting location for several more famous movies made up the top ten, including Savoca (The Godfather), Petra (Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade), Matamata (Lord of the Rings), Maya Bay (The Beach), Ait Ben Haddou (Gladiator) and Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter).
The only Irish entry on the list was Skellig Michael, coming in at a respectable 38th place.
Big Seven wrote: “Set on the remote island of Skellig in County Kerry, Skellig Micheal plays the role of other-worldly Ahch–To. The location first features in The Force Awakens, but it then plays a huge role in the latest instalment, as Luke Skywalker trains Rey. Despite its remote location, there’s been a huge surge in Star Wars-related film tourism. Thousands of aspiring Jedis make a pilgrimage to the Wailing Woman rock every year.”
The Big Seven lists is packed with beautiful locations from all over the world that have been the backdrop to classic movies such as Jurassic Park, Thelma and Louise, The Dark Knight Rises and many more.
All can be proud to have made the prestigious list.
If you want to read the top 50 list in full then visit bigseventravel.com.
