A proud father yesterday expressed his delight at his daughter's phenomenal publishing success. The Taoiseach couldn't keep the broad grin from his face as he talked about Cecilia's contracts with Irish, US and British publishers for her first novel.
"I'm very pleased," Mr Ahern said modestly. "I know her skills for many years. She has been writing since she was very young and is a very good writer."
His 21-year-old younger daughter last week secured a US book contract worth €1 million as well as an Irish and British deal worth €300,000 for her as yet unfinished novel PS, I Love You.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin as he viewed work on a hotel and retail development at the Moore Street Plaza, Mr Ahern said: "She has written many very good poems and her own essays, which were kept within the family. It's a huge break for her."
Asked if he had had a peek at PS, I Love You, he said that he was "very well aware of it". The novel centres on a woman whose husband dies and leaves her a list of things to do every month.
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