Irish premiere screening of Daddy’s Home at The Savoy Cinema in O Connell Street, Dublin.
Pictures:Brian McEvoy
Oscar-nominated actor Mark Wahlberg stepped out on the red carpet in Dublin last night to attend the Irish premiere of his new movie ‘Daddy’s Home’, along with co-star Will Ferrell.
The US star was ecstatic to be in Ireland for his second visit, his first being for the Contraband premiere back in 2012.
This time, the A-lister indulged in a spot of his favourite pastime, golf, with – who else! – Rory McIlroy, and also enjoyed numerous glasses of red wine (as opposed to Will’s pints of Guinness) on a night out in the capital.
Speaking about his fun in the city to VIP, he said: “I’m feeling better now, that’s for sure. I was hanging out with some Irish gentleman who really like to drink.. I actually hadn’t drank for 100 days, as I was training for a movie – I thought I’d just have one but it kept going…”
He added: “The movie has since fallen apart, but that’s ok, it happens. At least i cleaned up my act for a little while, because I had been on the tear!”
Irish premiere screening of Daddy’s Home at The Savoy Cinema in O Connell Street, Dublin.
Pictures:Brian McEvoy
Dressed causally in a black jumper and jeans at the Savoy cinema on O’Connell Street, Mark told us how proud he is of his link to our Emerald Isle – his great grandmother was from Donegal, later emigrating to Boston.
“I’m very proud of it, of course,” he said. “Being from Boston, there’s a big, big Irish Catholic community, so it’s very important to me.”
Mark’s Catholic faith is clearly a big part of his life, with rosary beads visible beneath his collar. “These were actually a gift from a writer in Spain, which were blessed by the pope,” he said. “I met the pope in Philadelphia, it was amazing, he’s very special man.”
Meanwhile, the Ted star opened up about working with Irish stars such as Saoirse Ronan and Jack Reynor, and said he hopes Saoirse clinches an Oscar for her role in Irish-American drama Brooklyn.
“That would be amazing for her,” he said. “I haven’t actually seen the movie yet, but I’ve heard nothing but good things, and can’t wait to see it.
“I met her on the set of Lovely Bones and there and then I knew she was a special talent.”
Daddy’s Home is in Irish cinemas on the 26th of December.
