"I love the Guinness," Oscar-winner Hilary Swank told reporters outside Dublin's Savoy cinema last night, although it was anyone's guess where the super-slim actress had been putting it as she stepped delicately down the red carpet on her way into the European premiere of her new film, PS I Love You.
Her white Yves St Laurent dress was no match for the Irish weather and the Hollywood star was forced to reclaim her coat as she spent the time kissing babies, signing autographs and chatting to reporters.
However, her crowds of fans were not put off by the dropping temperatures, having waited patiently for over an hour for the appearance of the star of Million Dollar Babyand Boys Don't Cry. They had been warmed, in the meantime, by the appearance of some of our own homegrown celebrities, with the biggest cheer reserved for the arrival of Cecelia Ahern, on whose book the movie is based.
Pretty in pink, the 26-year-old arrived on the arm of actor David Keoghan and, despite having already seen the movie treatment of her bestselling book, said she was ready for a rerun. "I could watch it every day, and every time I watch it I see something new that I missed the first time," she said, adding that she was particularly excited at its Dublin launch, given that she has "the biggest family in the world and they're all here tonight".
Proud father Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was among them. He said he was particularly glad at the role Ireland played in the film, partially shot in Co Wicklow. "I think Ireland comes across very well," he said, raising his voice over the strains of James Blunt piped through loudspeakers and the squealing of eager fans.
The Taoiseach then joined Cecelia, her sister Georgina and her mother Miriam for a family photograph before they all took their seats for the screening.
According to the film's director, Richard LaGravenese, Ireland played a big part in his decision to make a film of the book. He had also been moved by the story of a woman who comes to terms with her husband's death through a series of letters he leaves for her. "I had recently lost a best friend of mine, so when I read the book it had a personal effect on me," he said.
But his words were lost as the crowds of fans outside were clearly more dazzled by local heroes like Ronan Keating and Georgina's husband Westlife's Nicky Byrne.
• PS I Love You goes on general release across Ireland on Friday. Michael Dwyer's review will appear in The Ticket tomorrow.