Updated 11.00

Part of the new Star Wars movie will be filmed on the Skelligs in Co Kerry.

Filming on the much-anticipated Star Wars 7 began earlier this year at locations in Abu Dhabi and London.

Kerry's Eye reports today that the World Heritage island off the Kerry coast will become one of the major film location sites after the Office of Public Works gave filmmakers the go-ahead to shoot on Skellig Michael.

Reporter Aidan O'Connor, who broke the story, told Newstalk's Pat Kenny show the Skelligs are a popular filming location, but locals became suspicious something major was being considered when applications were made for helicopter access to the islands - but he says the makers of Star Wars have been guarding their secret closely:

Locals will be hoping to attract die-hard fans of the franchise, who have made locations previously used in Tunisia a regular stop-off on their tours.