Big crowds are expected at Eason's bookshop in Dublin this morning when the former US president, Mr Bill Clinton, signs copies of his autobiography, My Life.
Mr Clinton and his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton, will dine at Farmleigh House tonight at a dinner hosted by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. Several members of the Cabinet are also expected to attend.
The couple flew into Dublin Airport last night and were brought by gardaí to a hotel in the city centre. Speculation about where they were staying focused on the U2-owned Clarence Hotel, partly because of Mr Clinton's known friendship with Bono.
It was pointed out that the former US president would not be staying at the US ambassador's residence at the Phoenix Park, as this was a private visit.
The former president is scheduled to sign copies of his best-selling book at Eason's on O'Connell Street for 90 minutes this morning, from 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
While the couple's agenda for the afternoon is not known, they will pay a courtesy call on Mr Ahern at Government Buildings this evening at 7 p.m. before departing for Farmleigh.
The couple are scheduled to go to Northern Ireland tomorrow morning. Mr Clinton has another book-signing in Belfast while his wife will be giving a speech in Derry.
The general manager of Eason's on O'Connell Street, Mr Martin Black, advised those seeking signed copies of the book to queue from 7.45 a.m.
He expected the queue to stretch around the block to Middle Abbey Street but said it was hard to predict how many people might turn up.
"It could be 1,000 and it could be 1,000-plus. All I can say is that the phone has been hopping since the ad went in the papers on Saturday morning."
He said members of Mr Clinton's security team had been at the shop since last Friday.
Those attending the signing will be limited to one copy per person of the book, which costs €30.
When they buy the book, they will receive a ticket entitling them to join a separate queue to have it signed by Mr Clinton.
Mr Black said Eason's could not promise that all those seeking entry to the shop for the signing would be accommodated.
