Having fallen in love with south-west Donegal during the recent filming of Netflix's 'In The Land of Saints and Sinners', Belfast actor Ciaran Hinds has returned with his family for a holiday.
Hinds, who recently earned his first Oscar nomination for his performance in Kenneth Branagh's ' Belfast ', fulfilled a promise he made to himself while shooting the Netflix thriller to return.
The veteran Belfast-born actor was so busy during the shoot that he didn't get time to explore all of Co Donegal and its many attractions.
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But the star has been spotted at various local spots over recent days.
On Wednesday, he was snapped enjoying a boat trip to Europe's highest sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag.
Local man Paddy Byrne, who runs daily boat tours to the cliffs, posted a picture of himself alongside the actor, saying: "Had this gentleman and his family out today.
"We had a great time with dolphins and stories about the cliffs and the old days."
Last Sunday, Hinds turned up with a large party of family and friends for a bite to eat at The Rusty Mackerel in nearby Teelin.
A spokesperson for the restaurant said afterwards: "Ciarán was lovely. He said he didn't really get to see the area properly when he was filming here recently so he promised himself he would come back.
"There was a total of 14 in his party. they must have been staying somewhere locally but he didn't say.
"He is such a nice fella, a gentleman. He posed for photos with everyone and was lovely to talk to."
Hinds stars alongside his pal Liam Neeson in the upcoming big budget blockbuster 'In the Land of Saints and Sinners'.
In the Netflix movie, Neeson plays the newly retired assassin who finds himself drawn into a lethal game of cat and mouse with a trio of vengeful terrorists.
Set in a remote Irish village, it also features stars including Colm Meaney and Kerry Condon.
The villages of Glencolmcille and Kilcar along with the fishing port of Killybegs and surrounding areas were the chosen locations for two months of filming earlier this year.
During his previous stay, Hinds, also visited a number of local pubs and restaurants.
He popped in to enjoy a spot of lunch in Mrs B's Coffee House in Killybegs where he posed for a photo alongside delighted staff.
He was also spotted with a Gaeilge agus Fáilte sign promoting the local Gaeltacht area while enjoying a pint of Guinness in Evelyn's Central Bar in nearby Carrick.
'In the Land of Saints and Sinners' is being directed by Robert Lorenz and is written by Terry Loane and Mark Michael McNally.
Lorenz previously directed Neeson in 'The Marksman', which topped the box office in early 2021.
A cast and crew of around 300 people descended on the area to shoot scenes for the action adventure.
A number of locals were also hired as extras for the filming, which is set to be a major economic boost for the area.
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