Our friend at The Kerryman has contacted us to let us know what’s up with the filming for Ach-To in Star Wars: Episode VIII. Ach-To is the planet Rey finds Luke Skywalker at the end of The Force Awakens. 

They’ll be filming in a spot called Ceann Sibeal in late April.
Shoot due to start around April 20 and last ten to 12 days.
Ceann Sibeal is a small headland in west Kerry (near Dingle Town which you may have heard of) with high, sheer rocky cliffs very similar to the Skellig  Michael.
The location is much easier to access (you can drive there) and as it isnt a world heritage site and environmental protection area so there will be far less controversy about the shoot.
Its a very good match for Skellig Michael.
A stonemason from South Kerry had been asked to help on the recreation of the Skellig stone huts at Pinewood Studios.

You may remember we mentioned the “beehive” huts a little while ago which is what the stonemason is working on. We heard a very similar thing about the filming length from a friend in the area recently as well. If they are in fact filming Ach-To materials at this location, it does seem like the planet will have a lot of screen time, maybe even as much as Jakku had in The Force Awakens. 

If you didn’t see the Episode VIII announcement video from yesterday check it out here.