The sight of Stormtroopers striding through a southside Dublin suburb should be no cause for worry for residents this weekend - though the looming figures in their characteristic white carapace do send shivers up the spine.
Invasion Dublin, Ireland’s largest Star Wars fan event takes place at the RDS in Ballsbridge until Monday, and today it swarmed with a geeky cast of thousands in full costume.
The event features life-sized replica props and sets, costumed characters and guests from the original trilogy.
Guests at the event this year include Femi Taylor (Oola, Jabba the Hut’s slave girl), Alan Ruscoe (Jedi Master Plo Koon), Alan Harris (Bossk the Bounty Hunter), Barrie Holland (Lt Rennz), Anthony Forrest (Sandtrooper) and Brian Muir (sculptor of the original Darth Vader helmet).
Cork-based special effects and comic artist Will Sliney, who worked as part of the animation team behind the 3D release of Stars Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, also makes an appearance.
Organisers Emerald Garrison welcomed the announcement last week of the casting of Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson inthe upcoming Star Wars Episode VII.
Gleeson joins some of the original Star Wars actors, including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill for the much-anticipated blockbuster.
Directed by JJ Abrams, it will also star Anthony Daniels, Andy Serkis and Max von Sydow. Shooting starts next month.
"Ireland has got a massively dedicated Star Wars community which we see year after year at Invasion Dublin, having Domhnall on the list alongside the likes of Liam Neeson, Bronagh Gallagher, Dermot Crowley and even our very own artist Will Sliney only serves to boost this," said organiser said John McDonald.
" The next step would be to convince Disney to shoot some of the film in our world famous film studios like Ardmore."
The Emerald Garrison is a collective of Star Wars fans who share a common interest in recreating the series’ iconic costumes and props.
It uses the events to raise funds for various charities and this weekend’s Invasion Dublin event supports Irish Autism Action.