Historic tourist attractions normally embrace being film sets. The free publicity once the film is released is priceless, and so is the anticipated economic boom not only from the production company hiring locals but also from tourists.
The down side is that too many tourists can put an historic site at risk. Such is the case of Skellig Michael.
Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage site located off the Kerry coast in south west Ireland. History lovers know it as home to a sixth century monastery, while bird lovers know it as a bird sanctuary for such birds as puffins and storm petrel.
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Star Wars fans recognize the site as Luke Skywalker’s sanctuary of solitude in the recent “Stars Wars: The Force Awakens” movie, and that has put Skellig Michael in the middle of controversy.
The surge in economic activity the new found stardom has generated is naturally welcomed by the towns where boats leave for the Skellig. The Skellig is opened to visitors every day from May-September, with a limit of 180 people every day. Tour boat operators want to see the island opened from April – November, and no doubt so do the lodging and eating establishments.
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Archeologists sound the warning that an increase in tourists visiting the site puts at risk. Those risks include wear and tear and people taking a stone from the beehive huts as souvenirs. There is also concern about the effects increased human activity will have on the birds.
At the heart of the debate is what is the purpose of an historic moment? If it’s a museum then people should have access to it to appreciate the history and in the case of Skellig Michael magnificent scenery. On the other hand, should a country have to sell its cultural soul for the sake of a few euro?
