Bookshops and wholesalers have reported a significant increase in sales of books on the seer Nostradamus, as well as books about Islam and the Palestinian/Israeli conflict.
There has been a surge of interest in books on topics which have come up in commentary about the almost apocalyptic significance of the air attacks and fires at the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.
The prophecy section of Charlie Byrne's Bookshop in Galway, which features books on Nostradamus, was completely sold out within days of the attacks.
Mr Alan Johnson, marketing manager for Eason's Wholesaler, said the increase was "countrywide". He added: "Retailers are asking about the subject and we have recognised a demand. A lot of the enquiries are about what books there are out there."
"I'm completely shocked at how quickly the section sold out. We're still getting queries on the topic. At a book sale in London last week, we were told not to even ask about books on Nostradamus," said a spokeswoman for the Charlie Byrne bookstore.
However, websites dealing with the real prophecies of Nostradamus have been quick to point out that many of the so-called "predictions" cited in recent days are hoaxes. Several are attributed to Nostradamus in 1654, yet the French seer died in 1566.
One of the most circulated hoax quotes is: "In the City of God there will be a great thunder, two brothers (Twin Towers?) torn apart by chaos, while the fortress endures, the great leader will sucumb. The third big war will begin when the big city is burning."
Other hoax Nostradamus quotes include mentions of "New century and nine months", "On eleventh day of 9th month" or any mention of "two steel birds".