'˜We are hoping this is just the start'

The cast and crew of ‘Star Wars’ have spoken of their gratitude at being made to feel at home as they bowed out of Inishowen yesterday after helping showcase the peninsula to the world.

Stars and crew turned up at Farren’s Bar in Malin Head and at McGrory’s in Culdaff on Sunday night, while the Henry Girls staged a celebratory gig at the Malin Hotel, at the end of a week which has seen thousands of tourists flocking to the area.

Angela Byrne, Interim Manager from Inishowen Tourism, said the interest has been phenomenal.

“The filming of ‘Star Wars’ at Malin has been a massive boost for tourism in Inishowen,” she said.

“We are really delighted our beautiful and unspoilt coastline was chosen for filming the movie, which will be screened one and half years from now. We are really seeing evidence of the global reach this is having because of the hordes of people we have seen over the weekend. Locals from the tourism industry noted the increase in trade from visitors and also the production company as well, with beds and rooms full. We are hoping that long term this will pay massive dividends in Malin Head and in Inishowen generally. We are hoping this is something that will really boost our trade interest in the region internationally. We are hoping this is just the start.”

Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the series, tweeted: “People of IRELAND R amongst the sweetest-most kind-hearted in the World-Made me feel like part of the family #Gr8ful.”