Thousands expected at Clinton book signing

Former US president Mr Bill Clinton's book signing in Dublin on Wednesday morning could be the Republic's largest ever, it was…

Former US president Mr Bill Clinton's book signing in Dublin on Wednesday morning could be the Republic's largest ever, it was claimed today.


Security will be tight around Eason's flagship bookstore on O'Connell Street while the former US president autographs copies of his memoirs, My Life, for 90 minutes.

The store has reported a huge amount of public interest in the event and expects fans to be queuing overnight to meet Mr Clinton.

Eason's general manager, Mr Martin Black, said: "We expect it to be our biggest book-signing event ever - even bigger than David Beckham or Roy Keane.

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"We've had dozens of phone calls from people around the country and we will be opening especially at 7.45 a.m. on Wednesday morning to admit the first people in the queue. We expect Clinton will sign up to 1,000 copies of his book."

As a security precaution ordered by Mr Clinton's US Secret Service minders, all jackets, umbrellas and bags will be taken and stored in a makeshift cloakroom in the store.

Mr Black added: "We are expecting large numbers of customers to attend this event and we hope to have as many people meet Mr Clinton as possible."

Last month, more than 3,000 people queued up for Mr Clinton's book signing in London's Piccadilly Circus.

My Life, which was published in June, was at the top of the bestseller lists for four weeks and remains within the top five.

After the signing, Mr Clinton is due to have a private meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, before he travels to Belfast on Thursday with his wife Hillary for another book signing event.

Senator Clinton is due to deliver the annual Tip O'Neill address on peace and reconciliation at the University of Ulster in Derry on Thursday.