Crowds pack Philomena Lynott book signings

"It was a really great signing," said Martin Black of Eason's. "I knew that it was going to be a big one when so many members of the staff decided that they wanted to get books signed for themselves. That's usually a pretty good indication! But it was even better than we expected. It was great to see the long queues in the shop on Saturday – and Philomena was really gracious with all the fans."

Philomena Lynott, who tells the story for the first time ever in the new My Boy, about Philip Lynott's sister Jeanette and brother Leslie who were given up for adoption, spent over six hours signing books, between the two events.

"I was so tired," she admitted afterwards. "My hand was cramping long before the end of it! But it was lovely to meet all the fans and to feel the love that's out there for Philip. I really do hope that the book will be an inspiration for anyone who ever gave a child up for adoption – and, of course, for children who were adopted. I am so fortunate now to have my family back. It is such a lovely feeling. The only thing that I regret is that Philip isn't with us to be part of that."

Hundreds of book buyers also packed into Stephen's Green Shopping Centre on Sunday, where The Philip Lynott Exhibition is also currently taking place. The signing in Hughes and Hughes was among the busiest ever, kicking off at 2pm and running till 6pm.

"People love Philomena," said Martin Edwards of Hughes and Hughes. "She is an astonishing woman and at the age of eighty she not only looks stunning but has a stamina that people half her age would struggle to match. There has been a huge demand for her book and it's great to see it generate so much attention. It'll be interesting to see how My Boy does in the bestseller list this week, as Philomena deserves every success for her wonderful book."

In the meantime, the book has been given a ringing endorsement by best-selling author Róisín Ingle in the Irish Times, who described My Boy as "a rocking good read."