Star Wars legend, Mark Hamill (aka Luke Skywalker) is back in Ireland as International Guest of Honour of the St Patrick’s Festival Dublin.
This new honorary role has been created to celebrate the achievements of those in the fields of business, arts, and the media who have a special connection with Ireland.
Mark Hamill has a powerful connection with Ireland and its people after his captivating journey along the Wild Atlantic Way from Skellig Michael to Cork and all the way up to Donegal – for the filming of the latest chapters in the Star Wars saga.
Mark Hamill is coming Home
Source: The Belfast Telegraph.
This year’s theme for the St Patrick’s Festival is Home, with thousands of performers taking part in the rich tapestry of events around the city over the Festival’s 5 days (March 15-19).
On St Patrick’s Day, Mark Hamill will be a special guest in the Presidential stand in front of the National Festival Parade. As well professing his love of Ireland during and since filming (even Tayto crisps were enjoyed), Hamill has strong Irish roots – so it seems the 2018 theme is ideally suited to the superstar actor, too.
Star Wars meets Game of Thrones
The big screen also meets small screen on St Patrick’s Day. While the Wild Atlantic Way provided the backdrop for Luke Skywalker over the last few years, Northern Ireland became Game of Thrones Territory.
Fans of the fantastical series will be thrilled to hear that Ser Davos Seaworth, AKA Irish actor Liam Cunningham, will also be taking part in the Festival. As Grand Marshal, Cunningham will lead Dublin’s festival parade through the streets of the city from 12 pm on St Patrick’s Day.
The island of Ireland – as seen on screen
Star Wars and Game of Thrones are certainly not the only time’s location scouts have spotted this green island and shouted: Lights, Camera, Action. The island’s credits are long and varied: Braveheart, PS. I Love You, Harry Potter, Saving Private Ryan, Miss Julie, Brooklyn and The Quiet Man.
Ireland’s impressive allure for international film and television projects not only allows directors to reject green screen in favour of the magic of reality, the warm welcomes received during filming led Lucasfilm to place ads in local newspapers in honour of the people they’d met on their Irish journey.
For more information, go to www.ireland.com/stpatricksday
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