One of the Kerry locals who was instrumental behind-the-scenes of the ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ shoot thought the crew were actually filming a documentary about puffins! Gerard Kennedy, owner of ‘The Moorings B&B’ and the Bridge Bar in Portmagee, hosted the cast and crew at his harbour-side premises a number of occasion before, during and after the shoot for the blockbuster.
Gerard told Anton Savage on Today FM this morning that when the crew initially checked into The Moorings B&B (owned by Patricia and Gerard) in Portmagee to scout the potential of the Skelligs, they told the couple they were “filming a documentary about puffins”. But as the numbers of crew increased and none other than Luke Skywalker arrived into the village, locals knew the cover story was a ruse!
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When filming ended, the wrap party was held at The Moorings, where Mark Hamill, the actor who plays Luke Skywalker, sang and danced with locals – and even pulled a pint behind Gerard’s bar! He happily posed for pics with locals, and pride of place at The Moorings is this pic:
MAY THE CRAIC BE WITH YOU: Patricia and Gerard Kennedy of The Moorings with Star (Wars) guest Mark Hamill! (Pic c/o The Moorings, Portmagee)
Gerard reveals that villagers took the filming and the disturbance in their stride. “We really didn’t take any notice until it was all over,” he told Anton.
Kennedy revealed that when the film crew first arrived to the Moorings, they held their meetings in his sitting room. Eventually they told locals it was a movie they were filming but would not reveal which one. When it emerged that Gerard was hosting cast and crew from Star Wars at The Moorings, he had to admit that he didn’t know much about Star Wars and didn’t know who Luke Skywalker was. “Not a clue boy!” he reveals to Anton!
Ger hosted several pre-production meetings in his sitting room above his family B&B and Bridge Bar with a film crew over 2 years ago as they scouted out the Skelligs as a potential location. When they returned for filming, they again stayed with Gerard and other B&Bs and hotels in the area. They stayed three times as this summer, they returned to film the sequel to ‘Force Awakens’, Episode XIII!
Gerard reveals that Mark Hamill, his wife and two children were lovely people, and they thrilled locals when Mark pulled pints for them, took photos and danced to a local ceili band during the wrap party.
Gerard also reveals that Hollywood egos were kept in check by his staff. One night, some of the top crew arrived back to The Moorings to be told they would have to wait til late for their dinner. When they explained who they were, one of Ger’s waitresses said: “I don’t care what film you’re making, you won’t get your dinner until 10pm!”
In a beautiful touch, locals from Portmagee and its environs were all invited to special screening of the Star Wars movie in Killarney today (Thursday). Gerard and other locals were also at gala premier in Dublin last night. Gerard says the Skelligs “look good” in the film but ever the pro, would not give anything away about the film.
As well as having fond memories of the shoot, villagers were impressed with the generosity of the film-makers, who donated tens of thousands locally for a new lifeboat and a fish-packing plant.
For more, see http://www.moorings.ie/ and follow the venue on Twitter @MooringsBBar
MAY THE STOUT BE WITH YOU: Mark Hamill pulls a pint in the Bridge Bar, attached to The Moorings
"Where's Luke gone?"
