‘I thought Julia would be taller!’

WHILE some locals have been happy to serve as spectators when film crews come to town, others such as Stan O’Reilly enjoy getting in on the action.

The Wicklow Historical Society secretary and keen actor has played a number of parts as an extra in films and advertisements throughout the years. He even got up close and personal with Julia Roberts on the set of Michael Collins in Rathdrum, although he didn’t realise it!

‘I was standing beside Julia Roberts in the square in Rathdrum and I didn’t even recognise her. It was only afterwards when somebody said it to me that I knew. I was thinking, “it couldn’t have been her”. She was so close to me our elbows were basically touching,’ he said. ‘I thought she might have been a bit taller than she was!’ Stan said that the overall experience of being an extra in the film was ‘ brilliant’. However, the crew of extras had to keep their patience as, according to him, the finished scene in Rathdrum Market Square was the result of several retakes.

‘I remember the director going mad as the horses were to come down through the town but they took a wrong turn,’ laughed Stan. ‘ Then on the second take, a plane went overhead. The third time, one of the extras shouted something when a shot was about to be taken.’

Stan also played a part as an extra in ‘A Love Divided’ and several advertisements. However, one of his most prominent roles was serving as Robbie Coltrane’s double in off-the-wall comedy ‘On the Nose’. The film sees Robbie play the role of a rehabilitated gambler who is tested beyond all limits when a head stored in the university turns out to accurately predict race horse winners.

‘I was filmed removing a label off a jar which contained the head of an Aboriginal,’ said Stan of the bizarre experience.

During the shooting, Stan also had the chance to meet Bill Murray but unfortunately, all didn’t go to plan.

‘I was given Bill Murray’s watch to wear and I broke it! I left it on the windowsill and leaned my hand on it,’ said Stan, who thankfully, didn’t have to purchase a replacement.

Stan’s several brushes with the film industry came through his years of work with Wicklow Drama Group and other local drama clubs. He hopes to get involved in more of the productions in future.