‘Lincoln’ premiere - Harnessing silver screen

Rolling out the red carpet for the European premiere of Lincoln in Dublin has given the Irish film industry a welcome fillip that will help to keep it in the picture.

It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of Hollywood director Steven Spielberg’s presence along with co-stars Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field.

The guest list also included President Michael D Higgins and Ireland’s Olympic gold medal-winning boxer Katie Taylor, plus a string of homegrown celebrities ranging from Bono and U2 guitarist The Edge to Sinéad O’Connor, Shane McGowan, and Chris de Burgh.