A well-attended Paul Mescal lookalike competition took place in Smithfield, Dublin earlier today.

Fresh off the heels of a Timothée Chalamet lookalike competition in New York City, Ireland has adopted its own ‘clone’ competition.

Ahead of the Gladiator 2 Irish premiere in the Lighthouse cinema, where Paul Mescal appeared on the red carpet, ‘Mescal-ites’ flocked to a contest celebrating those who share similar features with the star.

On the Moncrieff show earlier today, Newstalk reporter Henry McKean shared a report from his trip to Smithfield, where he took part in the spectacle.

Organiser of the event Marcus O’Laoire told Henry he thinks Paul Mescal is a “social movement” at the moment.

“He's a state of mind, and I think it's something that we can all embody,” he said.

“So I think it's important to recognise that and see how many people can embody the Mescal movement.”

Mr O’Laoire told Henry he was a “perfect dupe” in his GAA shorts and hoodie.

“If you're feeling Mescal inside, you're giving Mescal outside,” he said.

 

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College students came along to watch the event thinking it would be “a funny thing to do”.

“We also thought the real Paul Mescal would come,” they said.

The prize for the event was €20 or three pints – with supermarket Lidl even getting involved with the hype around the event.

Brazilian man Lucas entered the event, telling Henry he loves Paul Mescal but “I also love three pints”.

“There's more media outlets at this than perhaps I've seen all year,” Henry said.

“There are hundreds of media, including international media, all down to try and perhaps meet Paul Mescal.”

Newstalk reporter Henry McKean at the Paul Mescal lookalike competition. Image: Newstalk

Unfortunately, the real Paul Mescal didn’t show up to the competition.

Overall competition winner Jack Wall O’Reilly said he thinks he was “organically” put over the edge to win.

“I think I won the genetic Paul Mescal lottery,” the Clare man said.

When asked what he’d like to say to Mr Mescal himself, Mr Wall O’Reilly said: “I just hope he’s okay. He’s got a busy schedule.”

He also wished Mr Mescal “good luck” with Gladiator 2.

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Main image: Jack Wall O'Reilly, winner of the Paul Mescal lookalike competition in Smithfield Square. 7/11/20204 Photo: Liam Murphy / Alamy