Spellbound Potter fans bid farewell

A PERFECT ending was how sad but satisfied Irish Harry Potter fans described the eighth and final film in the decade-long franchise.

For the hundreds of teenagers outside the Savoy cinema in Dublin on Saturday, this was more than just a premiere – it was the conclusion of a story that began for them as young children.

“I’ve grown up with Harry Potter all my life and I want to finish the journey,” Aaron Fallon (14) from Ballymun said.

“It’s going to be the end of a whole generation. It’s really sad, there is nothing more to look forward to,” said Caoimhe Hodgins (17), Blanchardstown, who has been a fan since she was seven.

“I know it can’t go on forever, but I’m never going to forget about it,” said Kim Walton (16) from Donnycarney.

Irish actor Evanna Lynch (19) also grew up with the films, playing Luna Lovegood since the age of 14. “I am quite sad,” she said, as she arrived for the premiere. “It has given me so many opportunities and has given me confidence to go out and do things.”

Lynch, who has just finished her Leaving Cert, is looking forward to trying different roles. “As much as I love Luna, her character stays mostly the same and I’d like something more complicated,” she said.

Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson (28) arrived at the premiere to screams despite just playing a minor role in the last two films as one of the Weasley brothers.

Gleeson, son of actor Brendan Gleeson, said being part of the films had been very helpful in getting auditions.

The actor was a “big fan” before getting the part and felt “very fortunate to get a chance to be in them, however briefly”.

Among the biggest fans there were Sarah Vanzanten (17) and Ashleigh Miller (19), who had queued for seven hours just to see the actors on the red carpet, but won tickets by arriving so early.

“It was perfect,” concluded Ms Miller after the film.

“The other films were magical, but this was an epic battle,” Ms Vanzanten said.

The films have always divided fans of the JK Rowling books, but most emerging from the Savoy cinema were happy with the interpretation.

The addition of 3D to a Harry Potter movie for the first time, including fire-breathing dragons, seemed to add some extra magic.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2opens on Friday.