Part of Star Wars: Episode VIII will be filmed on Skellig Michael, off the coast of Kerry.
Filmmakers have received permission from Heather Humphries, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, to turn the UNESCO World Heritage site into a movie set when filming takes place next year.
Concerns had been raised by several environmental groups, including An Taisce, who feel that the site is an area of exceptional sensitivity.
The Minister has given permission on the understanding that strict ecological and environmental conditions will be met, while specialist staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the National Monuments Service will be present for the duration of the filming.
Part of the forthcoming seventh episode in the series, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was also shot on the island. The Force Awakens is due for release on December 18.
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