Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg are happy to be ‘home’ in Ireland

Anyone who has seen Anchorman knows Will Ferrell is kind of a big deal, yet he’s universally lauded as one of the nicest and most approachable stars in Hollywood.

He’s quick to smile, slow to anger, and is constantly up for a bit of craic, as his legion of Irish fans found out yesterday.

In town for the premiere of new film Daddy’s Home, Ferrell and co-star Mark Wahlberg greeted the hundreds of fans who braved the rain last night just to catch a glimpse of the stars on the red carpet of the Savoy cinema.

Many an onlooker found themselves overcome by the occasion, in glass cases of emotion perhaps, but one selfie at a time the actors slowly made their way inside.

Any hint a celebrity has Irish roots these days and the country is quick to claim them, but Ferrell, who traces his ancestors back to Co Longford, and Wahlberg, whose ancestors hailed from Co Donegal, have always embraced their Irish origins.

“If anyone asked, I told them I was Irish,” said Ferrell, whose name is a variation of the Irish Farrell.

“My dad researched that all the Farrells were from Longford so we went there a few years ago. Word got out I was in town and like 500 people showed up to this pub I was at and I ended up drinking at some Irish lawyer’s house at like two in the morning.”

On his latest trip to the Emerald Isle, Ferrell, who famously paraded around University College Dublin in a full Irish rugby kit on a previous trip, was spotted staying classy with a meal and a quiet pint of Guinness in Pacino’s on Dublin’s Suffolk St.

“I love Guinness. I always have, I’m not just saying that. I used to drink it in college,” he said.

“But seriously though, it’s hard to come here and not be smitten with the history and the landscape and the people.

“The Irish are so friendly and they really enjoy sitting down and talking to you and there’s a real sense of community here. That’s what makes it special.”

Wahlberg agreed and said he’d love to come back for a longer visit to play some golf or shoot a movie.

Daddy’s Home marks the second time Ferrell and Wahlberg have worked together — the A-listers previously played two mismatched New York City detectives in comedy caper The Other Guys.

Their latest offering follows a mild-mannered radio executive, played by Ferrell, who strives to be a good step-dad to his wife’s two children.

Life gets complicated, however, when their real father arrives, played by Wahlberg, and begins to compete for the affection of the kids.

Daddy’s Home hits Irish cinemas on December 26.