FIFTY SHADES OF Grey has sold tens of thousands of copies, inspired dozens of online parodies, and even replaced the Bible in certain hotel bedrooms.

So we can safely assume that Ireland is ready for the logical next step: a sex festival featuring talks and workshops based around the erotic publishing juggernaut.

The Fifty Shades of Bliss Weekender begins in Dublin today, with events including Smut Writing and Ecstatic BDSM.* It also includes events based around sexual safety, responsibility and sexual rights.

Sexual Pleasure, Sexual Freedom & Sexual Health in Mind, Body and Spirit will also be available to those attending this intimate gathering.

In a statement, the organisers – who also ran Ireland’s first sex festival back in February – said they “believe Ireland is ready” to

move from a guilt and shame filled perspective on sex and sexuality, to one that allows sex to be a path to enlightenment as well as personal and collective freedom and empowerment.

And the humble Fifty Shades series has played a part in this, they argue, after its widespread discussion in the mainstream media.

The Fifty Shades of Bliss Weekender takes place in Dublin’s Morrison Hotel today and tomorrow. Full details here.

For perspective, here’s a photo of the bestseller shelf in Dublin’s Hodges Figgis bookshop a couple of weeks ago:

So… what did everyone make of number three?

* For the uninitiated, BDSM stands for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadomasochism. But BDDSSM would be a silly acronym.

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