Sir, – I have followed with great interest the recent correspondence in relation to the prospect of Star Wars film-makers returning to Skellig Michael. I would like to know if the Office of Public Works and the National Parks and Wildlife Service will be putting in place any measure to limit the number of visitors accessing this Unesco treasure in the aftermath of filming, when large numbers of fans will seek to visit this unique location, not because of its wonderful Christian heritage but because of its moment of stardom in a movie?
Should the film’s promoters be encouraged to pay for a “Star Wars Interpretation Centre” in Ballinskelligs, as a way of keeping the fans’ focus away from the fragility of the monastic site? – Yours, etc,
P CREMIN,
Limerick.
Sir, – Your newspaper reveals the quite astonishing fact that no fees were paid by Disney Lucasfilm to the Naval Service or to the Air Corps for services rendered during the filming of Star Wars on Skellig Michael ("Star Wars given free use of Defence Forces resources", June 15th). There is no indication so far as I can tell that any fees were paid to the National Parks and Wildlife Service or any other government agency, or landowner, for the use of this location. You mention in your report that Frank Shalvey of the National Monuments Service "had concerns but had come under severe pressure to sign a location agreement".
Was a location fee paid by Disney Lucasfilm to the State as guardians of this world heritage site? Why was Mr Shalvey brought under “severe” pressure, and by whom?
Ireland has some wonderful locations for filming, but they have to be protected, and paid for! Payment for locations is part of the accepted process when budgeting and making films. It looks as though the film producers in this particular case may have taken us for suckers. – Yours, etc,
CHRIS O’DELL,
Ballydehob,Co Cork.