Sally Rooney's two leading men Paul Mescal and Joe Alwyn visit Cork together

Paul Mescal – who became a household name thanks to Normal People – and Taylor Swift’s partner Joe Alwyn – who can currently be seen on Conversations With Friends – travelled to Co Schull in Cork to take part in the Fastnet Film Festival.

Fan Ellie Wright was lucky enough to meet both actors over the course of the festival.

“So cool to have so many great guests in town,” raved Ellie, who is pictured here with both stars on separate occasions.

Kildare man Paul, who is dating American musician Phoebe Bridges, had an onstage discussion with Normal People director Lenny Abrahmson about the making of the series, which is based on Rooney’s best-selling book.

Paul became emotional when watching some scenes which were played back to the audience, including romantic ones his character Connell shared with co-star Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) - he and Phoebe hung out with Daisy at the recent Coachella festival in California).

Abramson also directs Conversations With Friends, and Cork actress Alison Oliver (Frances in the show) joined Joe Alwyn (Nick in the series) to talk about the programme – but fans were asked to only ask questions about the drama, which may have been an instruction not to question him about his Taylor Swift.

Other stars who attended the festival included Pauline McLynn, Stephen Rea and Ciaran Hinds.

Paul Mescal spent much of last year in Australia filming a big screen version of Carmen.

The 26-year-old, who is believed to have grown a moustache for his latest role, is back in Ireland to film Bring Them Down, which is set in the west and is about a shepherd who is drawn into violent conflict with a neighbouring farm when his sheep are massacred by unknown men.,