New Disney blockbuster, Star Wars The Force Wakens.Disney

Dublin city is paying tribute to the upcoming, highly anticipated movie “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” by turning The Spire, a national landmark on O’Connell Street into a gigantic lightsaber.

The country’s inner nerd is certainly showing as social media went will on Tuesday morning as the news spread.

Dublin City Council say the Spire will be lit up until Jan 2. A spokesperson told UTV Ireland “We feel that it is an extremely creative idea and a strong animation of the Spire and will serve as an attraction to O’Connell Street at this festive time of year."

Early screenings of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will kick off in Ireland on Wednesday, Dec 16 with the filming opening on Thursday, Dec 17 across Ireland and the United Kingdom. The movie will open in the United States on Friday.

The world premiere took place in Hollywood on Monday and early reactions to the JJ Abrams directed movie have been positive.

The seventh Star Wars movie has had fans of the series in a tizzy in the gear up to see Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill team up with Irish star Domhnall Gleeson, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega. With some previous disappointments for fans in the Star Wars series this movie promises to channel the original trilogy. 

Gleeson (32) plays the role of General Hux. In a recently interview with Total Film magazine Gleeson said "Yeah, I mean you look at (Hux) and you realize he’s not a good guy. He’s got an English accent so he can’t be good."

Domhnall Gleeson starring in "Star Wars."

Domhnall Gleeson isn’t the only Irish connection. Some of the movie was filmed on Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of Kerry. There was much controversy surrounding the use of the island, home to ancient structures and a delicate natural ecosystem. It was also in the press, during filming, when Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker took a tumble while filming.

Ireland's Tourism board have already commented on how Star Wars' involvement in Ireland has already seen a markable improvment in tourism figures.

Beehive huts on Skellig Michael.

The monument itself, The Spire, is a large stainless steel, pin-like structure measuring 398 feet. Located on the site of Nelson’s Pillar the Spire was completed in January 2003. Although its official name if the Spire Dubliners have given it a couple of nickname over the years including The Spike, The Stiletto in the Ghetto, The Nail in the Pale, and the Pin in the Bin.

Here's a trailer for the upcoming movie:

General Hux