THE makers of the new Star Wars film are to return to the Republic to film scenes in counties Kerry and Donegal.
A key scene in the last Star Wars film, Episode VII: The Force Awakens, was filmed on Skellig Michael off the coast of Co Kerry.
And now Lucasfilm, the firm behind the filming of the famous franchise, confirmed it will shoot scenes for the next film, Star Wars: Episode VIII, along Ireland's west coast.
Scenes will be filmed on the Dingle Peninsula in May.
Plans are also underway to film at Malin Head in Donegal.
Lucasfilm vice president of physical production Candice Campos said Ireland is "an important part of Star Wars history".
"The beauty of Skellig Michael in the final scene of The Force Awakens was stunning and we know the new locations along the Wild Atlantic Way will prove to be equally as beautiful in Star Wars: Episode VIII," she said.
"Lucasfilm is thrilled to return to Ireland to film several sequences for the next chapter in the Star Wars saga."
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, said that the return of Star Wars to the Republic will boost tourism.
"We have already seen how the most recent Star Wars film has brought Sceilg Mhichíl and southwest Kerry to a global audience," she said.
"Now, further locations around the Irish Coast will experience similar exposure, providing untold benefits to the tourism and film sectors."
