Mel Gibson posed for selfies and signed posters in Co Meath to mark 30 years since Braveheart was filmed in Ireland. Fans travelled from across Ireland to meet the Oscar-winning actor and director who starred as Scottish hero William Wallace in the historical epic.
The film was mostly shot in Ireland despite being set in Scotland, after the Irish government lobbied for the production and offered to supply 1,600 army reserves as extras. People queued at Trim Castle Hotel to meet Gibson and other Braveheart cast members as part of the local King John Summer Prom festival.
Young fan dresses as Wallace
Eight-year-old Maksim Okhotnikov dressed up as Braveheart hero William Wallace in a costume created by his mother, who also sketched a charcoal drawing of Gibson. "I didn't watch all of the film, I just watched pieces because it's (rated) 16+," Maksim told the PA news agency.
When asked what he likes about the film, he said: "I like himself." Adam Walker and his seven-year-old son Nathan from Dublin were among the first people into the room to meet the cast.
Castle holds special memories
"Obviously he's too young to watch the full movie, so I was trying to show him the quotes, the big freedom speech at the end of the movie," Walker told PA. He explained how he discovered the castle's Braveheart connection when searching for a wedding venue 12 years ago.
"We were looking everywhere and we found here, it was lovely, the prices were great, and then I read at the end the castle was where Braveheart was filmed," Walker said. "I said to my wife 'we're doing it' so we got married in the room just there and we had the castle as the backdrop."
Film becomes family tradition
Elaine Coyle, who travelled with her mother from Dublin, said watching Braveheart was a family tradition. "My dad would be a big fan, it's what we grew up with. It's a Christmas tradition in our house," she said.
She described the film's lasting impact: "It definitely opened the door to the Irish economy around films, it completely changed how the industry worked going forward." Coyle added that people recognise the film made "such an impact on Ireland" and can relate to its historical themes.
Fans travel from across Ireland
Cousins Eileen Shields and Anita McGrath travelled from Galway at 6am to meet the star. They said they are fans of Gibson's films Lethal Weapon and Daddy's Home 2, with Shields noting: "He has a wicked wink in his eye."
McGrath brought a special gift for the actor: "I crocheted a shamrock for him, for good luck, so I gave it to him and he said 'thanks very much'." Shields added with amusement: "He wiped his brow with it."
Local excitement for Hollywood star
Sevinc Ozogul, who lives across the road from the hotel, said she was excited to see the castle from Braveheart when she moved to Trim. She described Gibson as one of her favourite actors, adding: "I was so excited to see him."
The event raised proceeds for the Irish Equity Support Fund. Shields noted Gibson's Irish connections, saying: "You know his family are from Longford, he was named after St Mel's Cathedral."
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
