Mel Gibson to return to Co Meath to celebrate Braveheart 30th anniversary
The US star will stay in Trim and sign posters in aid of the Irish Equity Benevolent Fund as part of the King John's Summer Prom Festival, which takes place in the historic town on August 8th to 10th.
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Gibson will stay at an undisclosed private venue in the county with family members, according to event organiser Eric Lawlor.
Lawlor himself has a special attachment to the movie as his late brother Sean played Malcolm Wallace in the hit movie.
"This news is just fantastic," said Lawlor.
"Dave O'Hara, who also starred in Braveheart, was a personal friend of my brother Sean and so he got in touch with Mel and persuaded him to come to Ireland. He said 'Mel, you gotta do this for the 30th anniversary of Braveheart' – and so he is coming for the weekend.
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"The timing was perfect as he will leave Trim and travel on to Rome where he is making his latest film."
During the visit Gibson will catch up with a large number of other cast members from Braveheart, who will also be in the town for the event. He will attend a number of concerts and the screening of the film on Saturday night before leaving Meath on the Sunday.
Since the making of Braveheart, Gibson has kept in touch with the historic town and was awarded the 'Freeman of Trim' status. He also sent a message to the town on the 25th anniversary of the movie.
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The global hit was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won five for best picture, make-up, cinematography, sound editing and Gibson himself won one for best director.
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Gibson is due to sign 200 posters on Saturday, August 9th, at Trim Castle Hotel in aid of the Irish Equity Benevolent Fund, but Lawlor warns timing is too tight for people to spend time with the actor.
"It will be a quick in and out here as we have to get 200 posters signed in two hours but there will be, no doubt, other opportunities to get a selfie with him," he laughed.
The King John's Summer Prom Festival is set to be an event-packed weekend with performances by actor Patrick Bergin, local singer Leah Barniville, and the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra under conductor Niall O'Sullivan.
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