Hand on heart, it's a great read

THE SOCIAL NETWORK:The president of University College Dublin, Dr Hugh Brady, welcomed guests to Newman House on St Stephen's Green on Tuesday evening for the launch of Prof Eoin O'Brien's new book relating to Beckett, The Weight of Compassion Other Essays, and the presentation of the O'Brien/ Lam collection of academic papers to UCD.

“If you feel a little bit of chest pain tonight, this is one of the world’s most eminent cardiologists,” Brady said as he introduced Leslie Lam. O’Brien, a Beckett scholar, is also a cardiologist.

Michael Colgan of the Gate Theatre launched the book. Afterwards, he said he had recently become single again.

The solicitor Gerald Kean, who recently split from his partner, Lisa Murphy, left before the speeches. He was preparing to head to Whyte’s the following morning to launch its auction in aid of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, which takes place tomorrow in the RDS at 2pm.

Who we spottedThe deputy chairwoman of the Alfred Beit Foundation, Consuelo O'Connor; the actor Terry Byrne; Harry Crosbie.