On The Town: An international cast arrived at the world première of Maeve Binchy's Tara Road at Dublin's Savoy Cinema this week. Making his way down the red carpet was the film's Scottish director, Gillies MacKinnon.
"Meeting Maeve Binchy clinched it for me," he said, as cameras flashed. "There was such a great mix of nationalities in the cast too, and a particularly strong Irish cast."
American actress Andie MacDowell was the most sought-after star at the Savoy. Appropriately, she made the final entrance of the evening and the TV crews and photographers went into overdrive.
Just ahead of MacDowell was actor Stephen Rea, who was in great form as he took his turn down the red carpet. Complimenting his co-star, he said: "Of course, getting to play opposite Andie MacDowell was another good reason to take part in the film."
Ever the jet-setting actor, Rea revealed that he was off to New York the following day to promote Neil Jordan's latest film, Breakfast on Pluto.
Not to be outdone, fellow Tara Road actor Sarah Bolger had just returned from filming a children's spy novel in London. The 14-year-old Dubliner, who has previously featured in Jim Sheridan's In America, said she's having great fun acting at the moment.
"I love acting," she added. "But school comes first."
Maeve Binchy's appearance at the Savoy spurred a warm round of applause while photographers jostled for position. Broadcaster Eamon Dunphy made a noticeably quiet entrance - his feet barely touched the red carpet as he moved hastily towards the screen.
Scottish actor Iain Glen, who also stars in Tara Road, made his way into the film with a sense of anticipation. "I haven't seen it yet," he admitted. "Ideally, I like to see it in the privacy of my own home first. Then I can fast-forward the parts of myself I don't like."