Mel Gibson delighted to be back in Trim for 'Braveheart' anniversary celebrations
Actor and director pays tribute to Michael D Higgins in Meath Chronicle interview
Hundred of 'Braveheart' fans have descended on Trim where Mel Gibson has joined the 30th anniversary celebrations of the movie at the King John's Prom weekend.
The Australian star arrived in town last night for the premiere of 'Voyage' Ireland in Song' with the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra.
In an interview this morning with the Meath Chronicle, he recalled Trim Castle as “more substantial than I remember it,” and said he was delighted to be back in Trim and for the warm reception he has received.
Hundreds have been queuing outside Trim Castle Hotel this morning as the actor and director signs Braveheart posters in aid of the Irish Equity Benevolent Fund, along with other stars of the movie.
He told the last time he was outside Trim Castle he was “picking flowers from the grass”.
The actor paid tribute to Michael D Higgins, then the Minister for Arts and Culture, who “really opened the door for us “ to make the movie in Ireland.
He had been shooting in Scotland, where they needed to film around Ben Nevis, but found that the ground there wan't suitable for the horses, so came across to the plains of the Curragh to shoot the battle scenes.
“It was the perfect battlefield” he says, adding that the reserve defence forces provided manpower.
He also recalled getting nailed by “a of turnips as big as your head and some lads with some pretty good arms" during the Trim Castle execution scene by colleagues he may have taken out some of his stress on during filming, getting their own back!
He was delighted to meet local people who had been extras in the Academy-Award winning film when it shot in Trim in 1995.
Last night, he attended 'Voyage: Ireland in Song' an epic orchestral journey through Ireland’s rich musical heritage produced by award-winning musician Niall O’Sullivan, where he heard Patrick Bergin, Leah Barniville, Emmet Cahill and Shóna O'Sullivan, perform with the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra.
Today, he is attending a matinee concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra celebrating the music of cinema’s greatest composers, including John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Howard Shore, Ennio Morricone, in which Hollywood stars such as Kate O'Toole and Bergin will introduce scores from movies, including 'Lawrence of Arabia'.
The festival closes tomorrow (Sunday) night in the Big Top at Peterstown with Neil Diamond’s Hot August Night In Concert, Peter Byrne’s tribute performed with the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW IN TUESDAY'S MEATH CHRONICLE