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Belfast Live
Entertainment
Lauren Harte

Liam Neeson enjoys a friendly yarn with staff at popular Donegal tweed shop

Liam Neeson received a welcome early birthday present when he popped into one of Donegal’s most famous tweed shops during a break in filming this week.

The Taken star delighted staff at Magee of Donegal in Donegal Town when he stopped by on Wednesday, ahead of his 70th birthday on June 7.

The Ballymena man is currently filming his latest movie in the county.

Read more: Netflix release first look at new thriller starring Liam Neeson

Neeson is starring alongside Ciaran Hinds, who recently earned his first Oscar nomination for his performance in Kenneth Branagh's ' Belfast ', in the big budget blockbuster 'In the Land of Saints and Sinners'.

In the thriller, Neeson plays the newly retired assassin who finds himself drawn into a lethal game of cat and mouse with a trio of vengeful terrorists.

On his filming break on Wednesday, he called into Magee of Donegal for a browse around their luxury tweed store.

Neeson met with Magee of Donegal manager Stephen Harron (Facebook)

He met with management and staff in the store including manager Stephen Harron, and Patrick Temple, chief executive of Magee Weaving and part of the fifth generation at the helm of the Magee 1866 family business.

To mark his stay in the area, Neeson was gifted a Magee 1866 made to measure jacket, crafted in Donegal tweed and designed and woven at the nearby Magee mill.

"Exciting day in store yesterday as Liam Neeson paid us a visit," the Magee team wrote on Facebook after his visit.

"The Oscar nominated actor has been in Donegal for the past number of weeks filming the Netflix movie 'In the Land of Saints and Sinners'.

"In store, Mr. Neeson met with manager Stephen Harron and the team, as well as Patrick Temple from Magee Weaving.

"Thanks for stopping by!"

The actor with Patrick Temple, chief executive of Magee Weaving (Facebook)

One staff member added: "Yesterday Liam Neeson popped in to Magee of Donegal to say hello and to update his wardrobe.

"It was a pleasure meeting him, he was a gentleman, looking forward to seeing him wear his Magee 1866."

Magee 1866 is a fifth-generation Irish family business with over 150 years of experience in designing, weaving, and tailoring luxurious fabrics and clothing in Donegal.

Liam Neeson and Ciaran Hinds In the Land of Saints and Sinners (Netflix)

Neeson has previously been spotted shooting the Netflix movie in Donegal.

His co-star, Hinds, has also visited a number of local pubs and restaurants during his stay.

Set in a remote Irish village, In the Land of Saints and Sinners 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 are the chosen locations for two months of filming.

The film 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 have descended on the area to shoot scenes for the action adventure.

A number of locals have also been hired as extras for the filming, which is set to be a major economic boost for the area.

Read more: Liam Neeson spotted filming for new movie in Donegal

Read more: Famous actress introduced Liam Neeson to Derry Girls ahead of guest appearance

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