West Cork hits the big screen this Friday in Star Wars: The Last Jedi
It’s finally happening.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens in cinemas nationwide this Friday, complete with dramatic shots of Cork’s epic coastline.
Up to 350 of George Lucas’s Star Wars crew and cast spent ten weeks in early summer last year prepping to create a spectacular stunt at Brow Head, which was shot over a three day period. A second shoot took in the glory of nearby Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southwesterly point, with more scenes filmed at Ceann Sibéal on the Dingle Peninsula and Malin Head in Donegal.
The filming of the Lucas film franchise provided a huge boosts for the seaside region; O’Sullivan’s Bar in Crookhaven became a regular haunt for crew and cast members, with proprietor Dermot Sullivan even selling Star Wars t-shirts in the bar.
A number of Cork crew were employed on shoot days for traffic management; with Cork County Council’s local engineer and planning department, as well as the Gardaí, facilitating the production.
“There’s no doubt about it, the impact of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is, and will be, immense.” says Rossa Mullin, who runs Film In Cork, which was the primary point of contact for logistical support.
“It was such a coup for the region to secure filming and Film In Cork was delighted to be able to offer on the ground support, making the filming process as efficient and easy as possible for the international crew visiting the region.”
The film franchise used a number of locations along the Wild Atlantic Way, and on December 18th, Tourism Ireland, working with Disney and Lucasfilm, will release a digital campaign to promote the filming locations along the now world famous tourism route.
Cork crew, together with locals, will attend a special preview screening of the Star Wars: The Last Jedi in Bantry this Thursday, and the movie goes on general release nationwide on Friday.
