Colin Farrell and Girlfriend Alicja Bachleda Step Out – at Last

The parents of 6-month-old Henry beam at the New York premiere of their movie Ondine

Photo: Jennifer Graylock/JPI

After keeping their romance on the down-low for about a year – and even welcoming a son – Colin Farrell and girlfriend Alicja Bachleda made a rare public appearance together in New York for Wednesday’s Tribeca Film Festival premiere of their movie Ondine.

The movie is a love story between an Irish fisherman (Farrell) and a mermaid (Bachleda) – and at the opening night, from the red carpet to the Aveniu Wines-sponsored after-party at Soho’s Beba restaurant, the couple avoided any outward public displays of affection. Instead, they chatted with those around them.

“We met on the set, and we were very professional and focused on our part and our jobs,” said the Mexican-born, Polish actress Bachleda, 26. “The story itself is so beautiful we really didn’t have time to get our true emotions [on screen].”

He explained, “Even though Ireland is a small island, there are a plethora of dialects. I was more familiar with the American accent watching T.J. Hooker in CHiPs than I was with the Irish accent in this particular town. It was a very kind of impenetrable accent.”

The Baby’s Sitting Up

While avoiding questions about their relationship, the pair beamed when asked about their 6-month old son, Henry Tadeusz Farrell.

“He’s sitting up already and all smiles!,” said Bachleda. “He’s such a lovely baby.”

Meet Sandra Bullock’s baby! For the whole story – including photos of her son Louis, an emotional interview about her breakup with Jesse James and her life as a new mom – pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday