Gay Byrne was among those on hand yesterday to sign copies of LifeStory, a new book meant to encourage families, couples and individuals to record their personal memories.
Proceeds from the sale of the publication, edited by journalist John Waters, will benefit the Irish Hospice Foundation's Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme, a five-year initiative launched by President Mary McAleese last year with the goal of making Ireland the first EU country to introduce standards relating to death and bereavement in hospitals.
Gaybo's trademark good humour was on display among the crystal and photo frames at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, as he and writers Fiona Looney and Helen Dillon personalised copies of the book for shoppers.
Having penned his autobiography, Byrne had advice for others looking to document family stories: "Be prepared for your relatives to be utterly astonished by what you've written about them. They likely haven't seen things the same way you have."
Designed to resemble a scrapbook, LifeStoryis a clothbound book organised into sections representing major life stages and events and including a folder for mementos.
With three copies of LifeStoryunder his arm, Ronan Maguire was first in the queue for signatures. "I think it's a great cause and a unique idea."
LifeStoryretails for €40 and is available at Brown Thomas, www.lifestory.ie and bookshops.