Citywest leaves earthly orbit as hordes of 'Star Wars' stormtroopers invade

JEDI KNIGHTS and imperial stormtroopers rubbed shoulders with wookies and sith lords in Dublin at the weekend as a Star Wars exhibition invaded Citywest.

By tonight, up to 20,000 people are expected to have been to Invasion Dublin, a three-day event bringing sci-fi fans and members of the public face to face with fan-built sets and props based on the popular Star Wars films. It concludes today.

The Citywest conference centre was transformed for the duration, with a life-size recreation of a Y-wing fighter as the centrepiece of the exhibition, alongside a life-size replica of an AT-ST scout walker, which was first seen in The Empire Strikes Back.

Star-struck fans got the chance to meet some of the film’s original actors. Jeremy Bulloch, who portrayed bounty hunter Boba Fett in the original trilogy and who had a small role as an Imperial officer, and Kenny Baker, who played robot R2D2, were two of the most popular draws.

A planned appearance by original Darth Vader David Prowse was cancelled after the 74-year-old actor fell ill.

The event was a family-themed one, with pint-sized Darth Vaders and mini stormtroopers in full costume queuing up to meet their heroes before retiring for some light-sabre battles of their own.

While some of the younger visitors were slightly wary of seeking out the Dark Side, others eagerly sought the characters out for photos and autographs.

“It’s really family oriented, all our characters are very inviting,” said organiser Martin Ryan.

The exhibition is run by Emerald Garrison, an Irish-based costuming club set up by Ryan in 2005, with members on both sides of the Border. The invasion took place in Belfast for the past two years, and the decision was taken to bring it to Dublin to see whether the event could be opened up to a wider audience.

“It was a natural progression,” said Ryan. “Everything at the exhibition has been made by us. We’ve got probably some of the best prop costume builders not only in Ireland but in the world. There are places all over the world that want to hire our stuff.”

A second event is being planned for the Odyssey in Belfast in October.