Even the president of the INTO, Donal O Loingsigh, has taken time out to attend a lively reading by writer Eamonn Sweeney, who entertains us with an extract from his new book, The Photograph. And Antonia Logue, novelist and partner of the man of the moment, is here to cheer him on too.
Sweeney's friend, writer Mike McCormack, from "the people's independent republic of Louisburgh, Co Mayo", says he "whooshed through" the book in two days and strongly recommends it.
The sculptor and retired teacher, Joe Sweeney, who is father of the writer, is here with friends to celebrate the occasion. One friend, Carmel McDonagh, who claims to be "an unclaimed treasure" has come up from Gorteen in Co Sligo, where Sweeney grew up, to attend the Dublin event. The book is also going to be launched in Castletownsend in Cork (where the couple live) at a gig for their friends in the locality. This takes place tomorrow evening in the old stone Boat House at 7 p.m. overlooking Reen Harbour.