Hollywood actor Mel Gibson is set to return to Co Meath next week to mark the 30th anniversary of the making of the Academy Award-winning movie ‘Braveheart’.
Mr Gibson, who directed, produced and starred in the 1995 film, is returning to the town of Trim as part of the King John’s Summer Prom Festival, which will take place next weekend.
Despite its Scottish setting, the iconic film was primarily shot in Ireland with locations in counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow providing the landscape for many of its medieval scenes.
Tax incentives, as well as the availability of members of the Defence Forces to act as extras, helped to seal the deal for Mr Gibson, following a meeting with Irish producer Morgan O’Sullivan and then Minister for the Arts, Michael D Higgins in 1994.
He soon announced that the movie, which had an estimated budget of $72 million (€62.9 million) and was originally scheduled to be filmed entirely on location in Scotland, would instead be, for the most part, made in Ireland.
Trim Castle was portrayed as the fortified English town of ‘York’ while the ‘London square’ was also created on the other side of the castle wall.
Mel Gibson portrayed the character of Scottish warrior William Wallace
The film proved to be a global success and was nominated in ten categories at the 68th Academy Awards, taking home five awards including Best Picture.
Mr Gibson, who himself portrayed the character of Scottish warrior William Wallace in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England, is now returning to the historic Co Meath town.
The American actor, now aged 69, will be signing posters at Trim Castle Hotel on the morning of Saturday 9 August with all proceeds going towards the Irish Equity Benevolent Fund, which provides emergency assistance to people in financial difficulty.
He will also attend a number of concerts and a screening of the film on Saturday night with many other cast members from ‘Braveheart’ also expected to descend on Trim for the event.
Their visit forms part of the King John Summer Prom Festival with organisers promising a weekend of “cinematic soundscapes, soaring vocals and symphonic wonder”.
The Irish Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Niall O’Sullivan will be among the other acts taking to the stage under a fully seated big top located on the outskirts of the town.
With a total of almost 300 performers from home and abroad, those behind the event have said the weekend is expected to be the “largest orchestral festival on the island of Ireland”.
More information, including the full line-up of acts for next weekend, can be found on the King John Summer Prom Festival website.