Irish actor Evanna Lynch was the toast of the town at the Harry Potterpremiere, writes PAMELA NEWENHAM.
RAIN FAILED to keep fans at bay for the Irish premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Princein Dublin last night.
Stars of the latest Potter film, Irish actor Evanna Lynch and Matthew Lewis, thrilled fans along the red carpet outside the Savoy on O’Connell Street.
Hundreds of fans, mainly girls, had gathered outside the cinema to see Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood in the movie, and Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom.
Arriving somewhat fortunately between rain showers, 17-year-old Lynch, from Termonfeckin in Co Louth, thanked people for coming. She informed the crowd that fellow Potter actor Rupert Grint (who plays Ron Weasley) had recovered from swine flu.
Asked what was her favourite part of making the film, she replied: “I enjoyed most of the Quidditch scenes.”
Lewis told fans: “I started [acting in the Potter films] when I was 11 and I’m 20 now, so it is a big part of my life.”
One fan, 18-year-old Amy Burchill from Ballyfermot, said: “I’ve been standing here for six hours. I arrived at 1pm so I could be at the front.”
Describing herself as thrilled to get the autographs of Lynch and Lewis, she said she had been a fan of Harry Potter since the books first came out.
Sarah O’Dwyer-Mazur from Brisbane said she couldn’t wait to return home to see the film.
The Australian, who once went straight from a flight to a bookshop to get the latest Potter book, expressed disappointment at having to board a flight home tomorrow, as it meant she wouldn’t get to see the film for a few days.
Rebecca Meehan (15) from Whitehall claimed to be the “biggest fan” present as she had stood in the rain for several hours.
Two young fans, who did not wish to be named, said they were supposed to be in work, but had “skipped off in order to get a good spot alongside the red carpet”.
The film, which goes on general release tomorrow, features scenes from the Cliffs of Moher. The footage, filmed from helicopter and boat, was shot in September 2007 when a film crew was based at the cliffs for almost a week.