ABSTRACT
With the use of a sociological perspective, this chapter examines the interconnectedness and disconnectedness between the media, tourism and cultural heritage. In the Irish context, visual imagery in marketing campaigns for international tourism has increased due to the fan tourism. Cultural heritage sites such as Skellig Michael (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi) have been mediatized. Media both creates and reproduces reality, it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between actual and mediated experiences. This chapter investigates whether the traditionally accepted heritage of a site has become overshadowed by a mediatized pseudo authenticity.
