It's not every day we have an A-list celebrity visiting Northern Ireland, but Pierce Brosnan has been spotted around the region over the past couple of weeks.

The James Bond actor has been pictured with fans in and around Co Down, and has been spotted enjoying lunch at a top restaurant in Belfast city centre recently.

Speaking after a visit to Fontana in Holywood, Adam Stockman from the restaurant told Belfast Live the actor was scheduled to be in the area for "five or six weeks while filming."

Read more: James Bond actor swaps Hollywood for Holywood as he's spotted in Co Down

Here's all the latest information on why Pierce Brosnan is in Northern Ireland, and all the places he's been spotted in recent weeks.

What is Pierce Brosnan filming in Northern Ireland?

It's understood the actor is here filming his upcoming movie, The Last Rifleman. In the film, he'll play a World War II veteran living in a care home in Northern Ireland who has just lost his wife.

The film, inspired by true events, is supported by Northern Ireland Screen and is being filmed in NI and the Republic of Ireland. The Last Rifleman is directed by Belfast native, Terry Loane, who is known for his film Mickybo & Me.

Loane also wrote In The Land of Saints and Sinners, a film starring Liam Neeson, Ciarán Hinds, and Colm Meane which was recently filming in Donegal.

The Last Rifleman starring Pierce Brosnan currently has a 2023 release date.

Where has Pierce Brosnan been spotted in Northern Ireland?

The actor seems to be enjoying himself while here, as he's been pictured meeting fans, attending events, and visiting restaurants around the region.

Fontana Restaurant, Holywood

From Hollywood to Holywood, Pierce Brosnan was first spotted enjoying a meal at Fontana Restaurant in Holywood, Co Down, on June 23.

He visited the restaurant for lunch alongside his personal assistant, with Adam Stockman from the area saying Brosnan was very down to earth and "full of Irish charm." The actor enjoyed a meal and a glass of white wine in the High Street restaurant.

Adam Stockman told Belfast Live: "He's literally just landed in NI, the first time he's ever been in the country, which I was surprised about myself.

"He came in for lunch along with his personal assistant and he had a lovely couple of hours with us. He was friendly and chatting to customers and staff and he went across to chat with some ladies at table, had the craic with them and had a few photographs taken.

"So he was up for a bit of chat and he wasn't sitting back not wanting to talk to people. He was extremely down to earth and he's certainly not lost any of that Irish charm."

Deane's Love Fish, Belfast

On the afternoon of Saturday, July 2, the 69-year-old actor stopped by Deane's Love Fish in Belfast city centre for some lunch.

Taking to social media, restaurant owner Michael Deane was excited to Brosnan stop by to try the food.

In a post on Instagram, the chef said: "Gone fishing with the legend that is Pierce Brosnan joining us today in Deane's Love Fish."

The Lyric Theatre, Belfast

Later in the day on July 2, Brosnan was spotted around Belfast again, this time at The Lyric Theatre in the south of the city.

He stopped by at the Our Place In Space event where 'Belfast' actress Caitriona Balfe and visual artist Oliver Jeffers were in discussion with Kathy Clugston. The topic of discussion was how being away from their homeplace on the island of Ireland then coming back has changed their respective practices and their sense of 'our place.'

The official Instagram page for the event shared a photo of Pierce Brosnan with the artists, adding it was "class" to have the actor there for a "surprise visit at the end."

On Friday, Jamie Dornan visited the event for a panel discussion on integrated education in Northern Ireland.

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