Not just that but they had to queue for up to an hour - in order to meet President Mary McAleese at a special event to recognise the achievement of Irish entertainers.
"It's like waiting to see Santa," joked Brian Kennedy as he hovered at the end of the line of 100-plus musicians, comedians and TV presenters.
Sure enough, like Santa, the President was wearing red and liberally giving out hugs and other gifts - principally glowing compliments to the luminaries.
Singer-songwriter Kennedy was singled out for special praise. And, amid jealous glares, he also got the biggest hug.
"I have him all for myself," the President said gleefully as she wrapped her arms around the west Belfast man.
Other musicians in attendance included Matt Molloy, Eleanor McEvoy, Johnny McEvoy and the Divine Comedy.
Presenters Ray D'Arcy, Hector Ó hEochagáin and Marty Whelan and comedians Des Keogh, Risteard Cooper and Alan Shortt were also there, although the latter missed the President's speech.
"I was out having a fag with my dad," Shortt confessed.
Missing altogether - due to the absence of an invitation - was comedian Brian McSavage, who held a one-man protest at the Phoenix Park monument over the "snub".
Jimmy McGee, who sat - along with Fr Brian D'Arcy - on a committee to draw up the guest list, tried to defuse the row, saying: "Everybody can not be at this function."
The event was the third organised by Mrs McAleese for the entertainment industry in her presidency. The previous two functions principally honoured showbands and traditional musicians, while similar events have previously been held for groups ranging from carers to the Irish language community.
Mrs McAleese said yesterday's gathering deserved particular praise for making the difference sometimes between enduring life and "enjoying life". She said she knew of no other profession with the same power to inculcate a "feel-good feeling" - and that went for her own legal profession.
"We can raid wallets but we don't seem to be able to put smiles on people's faces - unless we are telling jokes against ourselves," she said.
