Star Wars European premiere: Forget Nelson's Column, Dublin's Spire actually looks like a lightsaber

Finally, the weird spike in the middle of O'Connell Street has a purpose.

The marketing team for Star Wars: The Force Awakens have seen an advantage in tall, pointy things; and, boy, are they making the most of it.

First off, the European premiere for the film in London's Leicester Square culminated in the 52-metre Nelson's Column having a lightsaber projected onto its side.

As the cast gathered onto the stage to bid farewell to fans before they entered the theatre for the film's debut, John Boyega (who plays Finn) promised awaiting fans he had "one more surprise". The projector was then turned on to the noise of a lightsaber powering up, much to the delight of the crowds. 
 

And though the projection is certainly impressive, it doesn't match up to what Dublin managed to pull out of their sleeve for their own Star Wars premiere. 

The notorious Spire on O'Connell Street, a source of both admiration and continuing bemusement at the fact there's a giant spike sticking out of the middle of Dublin, was lit up to look like Finn's blue lightsaber. And considering the Spire's shape and the fact the blue light was visible from across the city, the stunt formed an impressive addition to the night's celebrations. 

 

Mitou! #StarWars #Spire

A photo posted by Wilson Costa (@sr.wilser) on Dec 15, 2015 at 6:33pm PST

 

 

#starwars #dublin #spire

A video posted by Well_Wide (@well_wide) on Dec 15, 2015 at 6:35pm PST

 

 

Then you are watching #starwars #episode2 and look out the window and see a #biglightsaber in #Dublin The #spire changed for promotion of the film #lucasfilms #starwarstheforceawakens #starwarsday #starwarsfan #starwarsart #instastarwars #picoftheday #amidala #naboo #droidekas #droid #skywalker #maytheforcebewithyou #gunga #jedi #theforce #theforceawakens #guerranasestrelas #instagood #darthvader #sabredeluz #tatooine #lightsaber

A photo posted by Jonatas Santos (@j0hnnysp) on Dec 15, 2015 at 6:20pm PST

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out in theatres now.