If the publicity photographs are anything to go by, Roddy Doyle has gone from looking like a trendy-“I want you kids to write about what you know”-teacher to his present incarnation as a faintly smiling Tibetan monk.Promoting not just one, but two books: a children’s story and the next novel in the “Henry Smart” trilogy: “Oh Play That Thing,” Doyle is doing his usual job of dispelling any illusions British journalists might have about Ireland. “It’s a big con job,” he says [in The Guardian]. “We have sold the myth of Dublin as a sexy place incredibly well; because it’s a dreary little dump most of the time. Try getting a pint at one in the morning and you’ll find just how raving it actually is.” I’m not sure how sexiness is tied up with getting a beer in the early hours, but the man obviously needs to venture out a little more. By one AM our binge-drinking nation is just getting its second wind.For those that are interested, Doyle will be “in conversation” with Joseph O’Connor at a special event in Dublin’s Vicar Street tomorrow [on 9 September]. It’s 10 euro to get in–a bit steep considering there’ll be a stack of hard copies beside the stage which members of the audience will doubtless have the ‘opportunity’ to purchase at the end of the interview.