Gala backs Disney’s O’Connell Street lightsaber stunt

An Irish convenience group has spoken of its pride over helping Disney turn the iconic O’Connell Street Spire into a Lightsaber during the latest Star Wars release.

Gala has partnered with Disney over the last two years, with its shoppers availing of pre-screenings for some of the biggest movies of the year, including Inside Out and the Good Dinosaur.

The O'Connell St Spire transformed into a jaw-dropping lightsaber
The O’Connell St Spire transformed into a jaw-dropping lightsaber

 

Now the retail group, which has 200 stores across Ireland, has supported the US movie studio create the landmark Lightsaber to mark the arrival of record-breaking movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Speaking about the sponsorship, CEO of Gala Retail Gary Desmond said: “Much like the anticipation for the release of the Force Awakens, the unveiling of the Spire on O’Connell Street as a lightsaber was greatly anticipated by the Irish public.

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“Gala has shown its support for quality Irish TV & programming through the 2015 association with IFTA and the IFTA Gala TV Awards, so the synergy with the Irish affiliations with the Star Wars film made the involvement with the launch of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Ireland a perfect fit.”

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has a number of strong Irish connections. One of Ireland’s best-loved actors Domhnall Gleeson plays General Hux in the movie, while Irish landscapes also feature, including the otherworldly beauty of Sceilig Mhichíl.