O'Driscoll holds the handbag as his other half takes centre stage

IRISH AND Lions rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll was left holding the handbag at fiancee Amy Huberman’s book launch in Temple Bar…

IRISH AND Lions rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll was left holding the handbag at fiancee Amy Huberman’s book launch in Temple Bar, Dublin, last night.

The pair had arrived hand in hand but photographers insisted on taking pictures of the star of RTÉ's The Clinicand author of Hello Heartbreakby herself. So Brian wandered off with Amy's black leather clutch.

He soon found himself surrounded by inquisitive showbiz reporters who wanted to know his opinion of the book. “Very entertaining.”

Had it taken him long to read it? “Not too long, although I amn’t the world’s quickest reader.”

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Brian went off to shake hands with guests arriving at the Sycamore Club on Sycamore Street, where the party to mark the publication was taking place. He was still clutching the clutch.

The showbiz reporters then attempted to verify Brian’s story with Amy. She revealed that while she had tried to get an early night on Tuesday, Brian had speed-read the ending of the book by the light of a little lamp.

The showbiz reporters wondered how Amy would now manage to juggle her two careers, acting and writing? “Lots of actors write,” she said.

Guest Pauline McLynn, an actor and novelist, was on hand to attest to this. Also in attendance were Denis Hickie, the ex-Leinster and Ireland winger, and Amy's co-star from The ClinicNorma Sheahan.

Amy wore a short dress shimmering with silver sequins and turquoise beads. Her black patent shoes were “altitude sickness high”, she said.

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan

Mary Minihan is Features Editor of The Irish Times