Tom Hanks delights fans in Dalkey as crowds gather to see actor as part of book festival

Tom Hanks has treated his Irish fans to excerpts from his debut novel as part of an intimate reading at Dalkey Church this evening.

The Hollywood star is in town for the Dalkey Book Festival 2023. On Friday evening, Tom read excerpts from his debut novel 'The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece' which charts his path from film to fiction.

In photos shared with Dublin Live, Dalkey Church was packed as fans attended the 'Sleepless in Seattle' star's book reading. Hanks appeared to be in flying form as he animatedly chatted about his much anticipated novel.

There were also crowds of excited fans lined up outside trying to catch a glimpse of the 66-year-old actor. Also in attendance at Dalkey Church was U2 star Bono, who is also part of the star-studded line-up for the Dalkey Book Festival 2023.

Read more: Stirring mural of Christy Dignam goes up in Dublin ahead of star's funeral

Hanks' novel was released last month, and is centred around a "colossal, star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film and the humble comic book that inspired it", as per its' official synopsis.

Tom Hanks at Dalkey Church where he discussed his debut novel (Rachel Curran)

The Dalkey Book Festival is a annual festival, which has been running in 2010. This year it will also feature Bono and Fintan O'Toole, with the Dubliners set to sit down together to talk about their very different but overlapping memoirs, 'Surrender' and 'We Don’t Know Ourselves'.

Tom Hanks put on an animated display at the event in Dalkey Church this evening (Rachel Curran)

Other notable speakers for this year's festival which runs until June 18 includes Bono's U2 bandmate The Edge, comedian Ruby Wax and physicist/ television presenter Brian Cox.

The Dalkey Book Festival was created by economist David McWilliams and Sian Smyth. The festival is known for bringing together to thinkers from the worlds of literature, history, politics, journalism, comedy and science.

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