IT’S not just north of border that’s reaping the rewards of silver screen hits and becoming a film location hotspot - the south is getting in on the action too.
According to a report from the Central Statistics Office in the Republic has seen a 13 per cent jump in tourism since the start of the year, and Tourism Ireland thinks the surge is thanks to the success of the recent Star Wars blockbuster.
In the past five years Game of Thrones has shot on many locations across Northern Ireland and banked a massive £115 million for the economy in its five seasons.
Meanwhile, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which filmed several scenes on the island of Skellig Michael in Kerry, has grossed $2 billion (£1.5 billion) worldwide and it looks like the Republic is seeing some of that success.
More than half-a-million extra people visited the south compared to the same time last year and Tourism Ireland said it will be playing on the Star Wars link as much as possible.
Star Wars brought the magnificent scenery of Skellig Michael and the Wild Atlantic Way to the attention of millions of people everywhere,” a statement read.
“The fact that the next episode was also shot on location along the Wild Atlantic Way earlier this year is another fantastic coup for Irish tourism and Tourism Ireland will continue to maximise the Star Wars connection with Ireland.”
There was a 16 per cent increase in the number of British tourists travelling to Ireland during the period from January to June, which represented the highest growth from any single market.
There was also a strong rise in the number of North American and mainland European tourists, groups which grew by 15 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.
Future seasons of BBC’s Line of Duty and The Fall are also pegged for on-location shooting in the north, while the south will see some Hollywood exposure from the likes of Brendan Muldowney’s 13th century epic Pilgrimage and future Star Wars instalments.
With the recent announcement of a £20 million film and TV production facility Belfast Harbour Studios and Irish film’s 2016 Oscar success, the future looks bright for tourism on both sides of the border.
