The force has awoken across the island of Ireland as Star Wars hero Mark Hamill joins in the celebrations to mark St Patrick’s Day.
He posted the Tweet alongside a number of Star Wars themed pictures with a St Patrick’s Day twist. One showed Luke Skywalker with the words “Kiss me, I’m a Jedi”.
Today would be a good day to deploy these #StPatricksDay images, because today….. THE WHOLE GALAXY IS IRISH. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/09xeCbJept
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) March 17, 2018
Another was an image of Yoda with the slogan “Irish I am not but very green I am”.
The actor is the Dublin parade’s first international guest of honour and has been invited to watch the festivities from the Presidential stand.
This year’s parade will start from Parnell Square at noon, march down O’Connell St, before crossing the River Liffey, winding around College Green, and finishing at Kevin St.
Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of Kerry, was used as a location in the latest movie, Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi, featuring as the hidden refuge of Luke Skywalker.
Hamill spent time in Co Kerry shooting for the Star Wars film.
Today’s parade is to feature over 2,000 members of marching bands from across the country, floats, and performers, as it makes its way through the city.
Irish actor Liam Cunningham, famous for his role as Davos Seaworth in television series Game Of Thrones, will lead the parade this year.
President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina will be in attendance.
In Northern Ireland, the day will be marked with a carnival parade and free concert at Custom House Square.
Other parades are to be held across the region including in Londonderry, Newry, Armagh and Downpatrick.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will march in the New York St Patrick’s Day parade on the final day of his week-long visit to the US.
Thanks to @BilldeBlasio for a great #stpatricksday breakfast at his residence. Now attending the annual Mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral, NY NY. Next up: the parade! pic.twitter.com/mbUOE3CYZB
— Leo Varadkar (@campaignforleo) March 17, 2018
Before the parade, Mr Varadkar will meet the Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio at a breakfast event.
He will also attend mass in St Patrick’s Cathedral.
The day is also being marked around the world with parades in many other countries.
Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening campaign will see around 290 major landmarks and sites in 48 countries being lit up in green.
