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Entertainment
Sophie McLaughlin

The big celeb visits to Northern Ireland of 2022

Northern Ireland has been giving Hollywood a run for its money over recent years.

As the TV and film industry continues to boom and show off NI on the world stage, more and more celebrities are finding themselves discovering the beauty of our wee country.

Whether it is for a much-needed holiday, filming the next big blockbuster or discovering their roots, fans have been keeping an eye out for big names popping up across NI.

Read more: Line of Duty star spotted posing with 'Reserved for AC-12' sign in Belfast bar

From former James Bonds to singing superstars to reality TV royalty, it can be hard to keep track of all the stars passing through over the past year.

Here are some of the big names that have been spotted in NI during 2022:

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan with Adam Stockman at Fontana in Holywood (Fontana/ Instagram)

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has been spotted across the country a handful of times in 2022 - notably swapping Hollywood for Holywood in this picture as he stopped in for a bite of lunch at Fontana.

The Co Meath star was filming in the area for a number of weeks over the summer and enjoyed trying out a number of eateries on his visit.

Jacob Batalon

Jacob Batalon with the staff at Mikey's Deli (Mikey's Deli/ Facebook)

Jacob Batalon, most well known for his role in the Marvel Spider-Man series, was pictured with staff at Mickey's Deli in the city's Cathedral Quarter in June.

Batalon plays Ned Leeds who is Peter Parker/Spider-Man's best friend and features in five of the Marvel franchise films.

Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan in Dungiven (Silky's Bistro/Facebook)

Co Down acting superstar and heartthrob Jamie Dornan has been spotted back on home turf a number of times in 2022.

The Holywood man visited Silky's Bistro in Dungiven, Co Derry and posed with manager Jane Roque.

Will Poulter

Will Poulter in Derry (Shipquay Hotel/ Facebook)

The Guardians of the Galaxy and We're the Millar's star was spotted on a trip to Co Derry in October of this year.

The English actor posed with staff at the Shipquay Hotel after staying in the boutique accommodation, who described him as "a gentleman throughout".

Niall Horan

Lois and Anais with Niall Horan at Belfast City Airport (The Style Bee)

In August, singer-songwriter Niall Horan was seen posing with fans at Belfast City Airport.

The One Direction star was in Northern Ireland taking part in the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Pro-Am at Galgorm Golf Club, Ballymena, an event hosted by the company he co-founded Modest Golf.

Kevin Hart

American comedian Kevin Hart on set during the filming of heist comedy Lift at the Crown Bar in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

2022 was the year of Kevin Hart in Northern Ireland as the American comedian made Belfast his home as he filmed his new film Lift across the country.

During his stay, he put on a number of intimate comedy gigs in venues such as Limelight and Lavery's Comedy Club before treating fans to a unique show at the SSE Arena before leaving.

Andi Peters

Andi Peters at General Merchants on the Ormeau Road (@generalmerchants/ Instagram)

Good Morning Britain's Andi Peters spotted bright and early back in April at General Merchants on the Ormeau Road to congratulate one lucky competition winner.

Ashleen from Belfast won £250,000 in an ITV competition and when told the news on the phone, Andi Peters said he would be delighted to come to Northern Ireland to meet her and the family.

Fred Sirieix

B&B By The Sea, Fred Siriex and Rory O'Kane (BBC NI)

Host of Channel 4's First Dates Fred Sirieix shared that he was taking in the sights on his first visit to Northern Ireland earlier this year.

The French TV star was one of a handful of celebrities spotted in Northern Ireland while filming the BBC Northern Ireland show B&B By The Sea.

Courteney Cox

Friends star Courteney Cox was spotted in Bangor on a trip to Northern Ireland this summer.

The actress, who is the partner of Snow Patrol member and Derry man Johnny McDaid, visited Bangor Marina on August 31 and was videoed waving at fans.

James Nesbitt

One of Northern Ireland's top acting exports has been seen numerous times this year as he returned home to film the second series of gritty NI crime drama Bloodlands.

In the summer, he was pictured visiting Curry's Fun Park (previously known as Barry's Amusements) where he revealed that he used to work operating the Big Dipper.

Molly Mae Hauge

Molly Mae Hague in Belfast (Instagram/@mollymae)

Former Love Island star and influencer Molly Mae Hauge took a trip to Belfast in April to watch the Irish Dancing Championships and was pictured enjoying a number of Belfast venues.

She shared posts of her visit to the Dumpling Library in the city's Cathedral Quarter, a rave review of her desserts from Roccos and was pictured staying in The Grand Central Hotel.

Martin Compston

Martin Compston with Manager of the Duke of York Paul O'Hare (Twitter)

Scottish actor Martin Compston is no stranger to Northern Ireland after having filmed here while working on Line of Duty.

He has been most recently spotted posing with his 'Reserved for AC-12' sign in the Duke of York bar and recording a podcast with Northern Irish comedian Shane Todd in Holywood in December.

Robert Plant

Robert Plant at Matchett's Music in Belfast (Matchett's Music/Facebook)

Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant popped into Matchett's Music on Wellington Place before performing to a sold-out crowd at the Ulster Hall in October.

The 74-year-old stopped by to buy a harmonica and is pictured with a member of staff.

Kevin Bridges

Paddy (centre) with local comedians and Kevin Bridges (Empire Laughs Back Belfast)

Comedian Kevin Bridges made a quick appearance at The Empire Laugh's Back Comedy club during his run of shows in the SSE Arena in October/November this year.

Pictured with William Thompson, Colin Murphy, Paddy McDonnell and Liam Farrelly, Kevin popped by to join in the 30th-anniversary celebrations of the comedy club.

Adrian Dunbar

Adrian Dunbar with chef Glen Wheeler at 28 at the Hollow (28 at the Hollow)

Co Fermanagh's own Adrian Dunbar, everyone's favourite Gaffer with the one-liners, has been seen exploring the beauty of home throughout 2022.

The Line of Duty legend is pictured above with Chef Glen Wheeler at 28 at the Hallow - a popular restaurant in his hometown of Enniskillen.

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