The force is with Star Wars fans

STAR WARS fans both tall and small met their favourite characters and experienced the full-size recreations of the movie sets at a special convention in Cork at the weekend.

Designed and produced by the Star Wars enthusiasts at Emerald Garrison, Invasion Cork was an all-round science fiction event that featured some of the highest calibre props and backdrops ever to be seen in Ireland.

Invasion Cork, which was held at the new Arc Arena in Centre Park Road, gave fans the opportunity to meet original actors from their favourite Star Wars episodes.

Special guests at the event included Jeremy Bulloch (Bobba Fett) Ken Colley (Admiral Piett) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2).

Attendees were also able to see a life-size Scout Walker in all its glory and experience the jaw-dropping life-size Y-Wing fighter up close. Star Wars enthusiasts sat on the Emperor’s Throne and were flanked by Royal Guards, while Darth Vader knelt in obedience in front of them.

Thousands flocked to the two day convention, which got underway on Saturday at 10am. A similar convention took place in Dublin in April.

Meanwhile, several events are scheduled to take place in the new ARC centre over the coming months, including Cork on Ice from November 26 to January 16.

The long-awaited facility, which the city has been trying to secure for several years, is housed in one of the world’s most sophisticated temporary structures – The Veldeman TFS (Tensile Frame Structure).

The ARC measures 40,000 square feet and is capable of seating up to 4,000 people for a concert. It is located on a 10-acre site, with parking, and is just one kilometre from Cork City Hall.