We all know Ireland to be a place of magnificent beauty. In many parts of the country, particularly around our coast, it can feel as through you're wandering through a landscape painting.
But forget the static image - there are parts of Ireland that just can not be captured by a mere photograph or painting, they are made for the big screen. Our island has been a location for many the blockbuster film over the years but recently one iconic landmark has been named as one of the most beautiful movie locations in the entire world by travel site Big Seven.
Skellig Michael, off the coast of the Dingle peninsula, has long attracted crowds who came to marvel at its breath-taking beauty and wildlife, and to examine the ancient ruins and steps still in place from a former monastery that used to be there. In fact, the island was even designated a UNESCO World Heritage site 1996.
However it was only when the location was used by film director JJ Abrams as Luke Skywalker's Island Sanctuary on the planet Ahch-To in both Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens and Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi that the Skellig really started to draw an international crowd.
We suppose when somewhere is featured in the highest grossing film in US box office history it's only fair to expect that fans are going to flock to there in their droves.
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The island came in a very respectable number 38 on the list of the world's most stunning film locations behind some very stiff competition. Claiming the top prize was Angkor Thom in Cambodia, famous as the location for much of Angelina Jolie's stint as Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider movie franchise.
Other prime locations featured included Salzburg, Austria (The Sound of Music) in second place and was Skiathos in Greece rounding off the Top 3, famous as the sun-kissed setting of the Mamma Mia! films.
Also ranking highly were Savoca (The Godfather), Petra (Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade), Matamata (Lord of the Rings), Maya Bay (The Beach) and Ait Ben Haddou (Gladiator).
Completing the Top 10 was the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland which will be familiar to many as the location where the iconic Hogwarts Express came around the bend in the Harry Potter series.
Skellig Michael was the only location in Ireland to make the list, a testament to how striking it is given the abundance of picturesque options the Emerald Isle has to offer.
"Set on the remote island of Skellig in County Kerry, Skellig Micheal plays the role of other-worldly Ahch-To. The location first features in The Force Awakens, but it then plays a huge role in the latest instalment, as Luke Skywalker trains Rey," Big Seven writer Allie D'Almo writes.
"Despite its remote location, there's been a huge surge in Star Wars-related film tourism. Thousands of aspiring Jedis make a pilgrimage to the Wailing Woman rock every year."
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Michael on UnsplashTopics: Ireland