Dara Ó Briain thanks 'brilliant' children who dressed up as him for World Book Day

The annual event takes place on the first Thursday in March each year and aims to “encourage young people to discover the pleasure of reading,” with many children around the country celebrating by dressing up as their favourite literary characters and authors at school.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday night, Christopher O’Mara shared a photo of his daughter dressed up as Irish comedian Dara Ó Briain for World Book Day.

The young girl held a copy of Dara’s book Secret Science as she tried on her costume for the following day – complete with a lab coat, a blue shirt with a striped tie, and a pair of tights covering her hair to mimic the comic’s signature bald head.

The proud dad wrote: “Fancy dress for School tomorrow #WorldBookDay dressed as @daraobriain”

And Bray native Dara replied that he was flattered by the pupil’s costume.

He said: “That’s brilliant and uncannily accurate! Send her my best, I’m delighted she enjoyed the book!”

He then shared Christopher’s tweet with his followers and wrote: “This young lady has totally captured my essence. Happy World Book Day, stressed parents everywhere!”

And another parent showed off their child’s Dara Ó Briain-inspired fancy dress for World Book Day on Thursday morning.

Fermanagh woman Sinead McCrory posted a photo of her daughter Sophie dressed as an astronaut with an impressive tinfoil helmet, full spacesuit, and a space backpack decorated with an Irish flag as she posed with Dara’s book Is There Anybody Out There?

Sinead said: “I hate #WorldBookDay with a fiery passion. My wee girl decided to buck the Disney/marvel trend as her favourite books are about space, by @daraobriain, but now she's afraid she'll be laughed at”

And Dara praised the young girl’s efforts by replying: “That costume is amazing and she is a total legend.”

Sophie was delighted that her favourite author had such kind words, and her mum shared her delight by writing: “Thank you Dara!! Was able to tell her just before she got out for school, and she said 'i can't breathe!' in a good way lols”