Spoilers! This story reveals the ending of "Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens".
The final scene of the blockbuster "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" plays out on a scenic, mountainous island, where the heroic Rey (Daisy Ridley) holds out a lightsaber to Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) for what feels like an eternity.
But the scene leaves fans with plenty of questions:
Partner links: booking through them supports the blog at no extra cost to you.
- Why does Luke look like he has been sleeping under a park bench for the past 30 years?
- Didn't Rey's arm get tired holding that thing while Luke just stares at it with his mouth open?
- Why didn't Chewie park the "Millennium Falcon" at the top of the mountain, or at least drop Rey off closer?
- And where, in this not so distant galaxy, is this gorgeous, rugged place actually located?
In reality, the meeting place of these formidable Jedi is Skellig Michael, a huge, wind-battered crag and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in County Kerry, 12 kilometers off the southwest coast of Ireland.
The island's craggy, dizzying peaks are uninhabited today, but they were once home to a sixth century Christian monastery.
Visitors climb 600 steep steps (not recommended for young children or anyone who struggles with a demanding ascent) to reach the beehive huts of what was once one of Europe's most remote religious communities.
The sense of isolation is humbling, and the views that open up are simply stunning.
The island's forbidding location has traditionally kept the crowds away, but officials are hoping that will change.
The Skellig Experience visitor center sits on the mainland of Valentia Island. Here visitors can watch a 14-minute film about the island and, in season from April to September and weather permitting, book a two-hour boat trip that circles the island without landing on it. Boats that do land depart daily from Portmagee, County Kerry. Booking tickets in advance is recommended.
Plenty More to See
Wonderfully green and incredibly welcoming, County Kerry's lush landscape and unique atmosphere have made it one of Ireland's most popular tourist regions.
Emerald forests draped in moss, striking peaks wrapped in mist, water trickling everywhere. From the Killarney tourist hub toward Kerry runs the Ring of Kerry, famous for its magnificent scenery, sandy beaches and ancient ruins.
Among the other regional highlights is the picturesque Gap of Dunloe, watched over by Ireland's highest mountains, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
The Dingle Peninsula is renowned for the long stretch of golden sand at Inch, the scenic Conor Pass and the charming town of the same name, where you can enjoy a pint in the atmospheric pub-and-hardware shop of Dick Mack's.
