Hot property was the catchphrase as dozens of family, friends and well-wishers gathered at 32 Burlington Road for the launch of Dubliner Fiona O'Brien's second novel Sold.
Developer Johnny Rohan's striking, newly built, Palladian-style villa off Upper Leeson Street was a fitting venue for the launch of a book which throws opens the door on Dublin's super-rich property world.
"Like most Dubliners my age I'm a property voyeur," said author Deirdre Purcell in her speech welcoming O'Brien's novel. "The only papers I rush out to buy are the property supplements on Thursday and Friday.
"My husband calls them my comics. In this book Fiona is tapping into this voyeuristic urge in many people and she has opened up a milieu only known to me through the property and social pages of the papers," added Purcell.
The real world of property in Dublin is "much, much worse", according to O'Brien, who said she actually "downplays it a bit". She is now working on her next novel.
The author's sister, Mary McGrath, said she was proud of her sister and that the book was "a great read".
"It's great fun. It's all about new Dublin society," she said.
Jennifer and Derek O'Brien, niece and nephew of the author, said they "couldn't wait to read the novel".
Once the business of the launch was over, everybody set about exploring Rohan's house. Designed by Jeremy Williams, it is lavishly designed in the rococo style, with sumptuous fabrics, bold colours and ornate wall-paintings.
"It is incredible I have never seen anything like it in my life," said a friend of the author, Gena Lynam.
Others at the launch included Rohan and his wife Mary, who are close friends of the author; Gillian Kelly, who project-managed the building of the house; and socialite Cindy Cafolla.