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These are the behind-the-scenes pictures of Star Wars in the making in Co Donegal.

A team of production staff have spent the last three weeks close to Ireland’s most northerly point at Malin Head constructing the set for the latest instalment of the Hollywood blockbuster.

A heavy security presence has kept snooping eyes away from the set on which filming starts this weekend.

But our pictures show what appears to be a huge water tunnel crossing the rugged landscape of the head.

A giant platform has also been erected on a massive outcrop with insiders revealing how a zip-wire is also planned from the platform into the sea.

Hundreds of tourists are arriving at the location each day in the hope of getting a glimpse of the set.

Many are visiting the local Malin Town which is seeing an early influx of tourists as a result of the interest in the sic-fi epic.

At least twelve security guards from a Dublin-based security company are patrolling the lands around Malin Head on both foot and on mobile patrol.

(Image: NW NewsPix)

Permission has been granted by local landowners to use the lands for the coming weeks.

Donegal County Council has confirmed that it will close the roads leading to the tourist destination between this Sunday, May 15th and Tuesday, May 17th next.

It stated that the Malin Loop will be closed temporarily over these days but it has not stated why the roads are being closed.

Many local B&Bs as well as private holiday homes have been booked out for the entire month of May to accommodate crew from Lucas Films.

Outgoing Junior Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Joe McHugh, said he was delighted the crew had arrived and was looking forward to Donegal featuring in the upcoming Stars Wars film.

(Image: NW NewsPix)

He said: “The necessary state permits are now in place for limited filming in Malin Head. The community have welcomed the team with open arms and there is tremendous excitement around it

“People are not unaware of the potential magnitude this project canhave for the future of tourism in Donegal.

“If you look at the Japanese and Korean market, there is a percentage of people that follow where the film is set and this could have a magnificent impact to the area.

“Locations such as Malin Head have been the hidden gems along the Wild Atlantic Way and now we are opening them up to the world."