As book launches go the setting was quite something: in a flower-filled private suite overlooking the Main Arena at the Dublin Horse Show. Guests of former actress and entrepreneur Christy Cashman were treated to a champagne reception, lunch and a preview of Christy’s novel, The Truth About Horses.

Christy, who has featured in over 20 films, from American Hustle, Joy, Ted 2, The Golden Boys, The Forger, is also the owner of Kilkea Castle, Co Kildare with her husband Jay. Her guests included former Irish footballer Niall Quinn, actor Patrick Bergin and Helen Goldin, television presenter Anna Daly, professional dancer Laura Nolan as well as actresses Sophie Vavasseur and Jenny Dixon. Others included Ashling Kilduff of Curated by Design Centre, stylists Celia Holman Lee and Jess Colivet, and model Teodora Sutra.

The Truth About Horses has already received rave reviews from household names (including Harry Connick Jr, Carly Simon and Jane Seymour) and tells the story of a teenage girl called Reese overcoming the trauma of grief, loving horses and finding herself. It has already been picked up to be transformed into a television series.