As Ireland has become synonymous with iconic scenes in Star Wars, many fans are celebrating ‘Star Wars Day’ in style.
The historical and remote Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry has become renowned for screen tourism ever since its popular appearance in the most recent Stars Wars trilogy.
Today neighbouring village Portmagee plays host to the second annual May the Fourth Sci-Fi Film Festival, celebrating the galaxy far, far away.
Festival Manager Dave Byrne told The Anton Savage Show they started the festival with “a massive, big lightsaber battle on the streets of Portmagee”.
“There was hundreds of kids and hundreds of big kids with lightsabers battling out on the streets.”
Afterwards, the festival screened three ‘fan-made’ Star Wars films from France, America and Germany.
Today, Portmagee hosted a Comic Con from 10am to 5pm, free of charge to any sci-fi fans.
Mr Byrne said following today’s festivities, there will be more screenings of independent sci-fi films to honour the genre that brought fans together.
“Sci-fi fans from all over the world, and from all over Ireland, descend on Portmagee,” he said.
“They make a weekend of it – it's also like sci-fi tourism.
“They'll go to see the locations where Star Wars: The Last Jedi was made and they’ll make a big break of it.”
Star Wars festival in Portmagee. Image: Nuri AlbakriOne person in attendance was Nuri Albakri, who dressed as ‘Tusken Riders’.
According to Mr Albakri, he previously often dressed as a Stormtrooper but found the army a bit too heavy sometimes.
He told the show he currently has a collection of Star Wars memorabilia worth somewhere between €15,000 and €20,000 – but he has no plans of selling anything.
“It’s a collection that you keep for yourself,” he said. “Something that you can look at or like the armour, you can wear it when you’re going to an event.
“It’s something that can calm you down as a hobby.”
Star Wars cosplay
Mr Albakri‘s wife Caroline said it’s “an amazing fun thing to cosplay” as your favourite Star Wars characters.
“Especially when the kids see you and they want a photo taken with you,” she said.
“It’s just an amazing thing – you get to dress up as adults, what more could ask for?”
Mr Byrne advised first-time cosplayers there are plenty of easy costumes people can make, like using a robe to become a Jedi.
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