Lassie posed bravely for the cameras at her photo shoot with Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue yesterday when he visited the set for the canine star's upcoming movie at Kilruddery House, Co Wicklow.
Despite the Minister's encouraging words to the film industry, Lassie remained unfazed by the event and obeyed her trainer's instructions for most of the shoot.
Watching the wind sweep over the magnificent ambience of Kilruddery House and gardens, it is easy to imagine why the house, build in 1820, has a history as a popular filming location, having featured in both the Count of Monte Cristo and Far and Away.
"The single greatest attractor to Ireland is film, accounting for up to 18 per cent of Irish tourism annually," the Minister said. "It is a major priority for Government and for the Irish Film Board to continue to encourage major international studios to choose Ireland as a film location."
The film is based on Eric Knight's 1938 novel Lassie Come Home. It is written and directed by Charles Sturridge and stars Peter O'Toole and Samantha Morton. Ed Guiney of Element Films is producing the €10.2 million venture.