In May of 2014, I was asked by the European TV broadcaster VRT if I would like to take part in a programme about Ireland’s brand-new tourist trail ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’. It had always been there of course, except now plenty of signage had been erected to stop people getting lost along the way. My brief for the programme had been to introduce the two presenters, Tina and Bill, and their film crew to the Skelligs for this part of their west coast journey, including perhaps telling something of the Skelligs’ story. So, one evening in mid-July with skipper Des Lavelle at the helm and boatman Cav as crew, we headed out from Portmagee en route for the Skelligs. The weather could not have been better; it was glorious. I am not sure if Marijne the director and her excellent team knew how lucky we were in this regard, with the combination of a fine evening and not a breath of wind. This made it possible to safely stand on the summit of the north peak for the last shot; whilst being very mindful of the near-vertical drop of nearly 700 feet behind us!
N.B.
Do the twin peaks seen here look familiar, and you are a Star Wars fan? I ask because, within a few days of taking this picture, J.J. Abrams and his blockbuster production crew arrived to film the first part of the Star Wars trilogy - ‘The Force Awakens’. Lukasfilm certainly recognised and monopolised on this truly extraordinary location.