The Quiet Man bust for fistful of dollars

Des O’Sullivan reports on the auction of Ashford Castle contents.

A larger-than-life size portrait bust of John Wayne playing The Quiet Man was the top lot at Aidan Foley’s auction of contents from Ashford Castle at Cong last weekend.

Cast by Australian sculptor Mark Rode, who is based in Mayo, from the original statue in the village of Cong, it sold for €3,900 to an internet bidder. Proceeds will benefit Cong Festival Committee.

More than 2,000 people attended the viewing and auction of contents of 55 bedrooms from the castle, which is being totally refurbished by its new owners.

It attracted internet bidders from around the world.

A lady from Haiti who wanted something from Ashford as a present for her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary was typical of many internet bidders with their own memories of Ashford.

Prices for lots like radiator cabinets, lamps, desks and bedroom furniture were not stratospheric but nearly everything sold.

Many of the 1,000 lots went above estimate.

Doneraile based Aidan Foley reported internet bidders accounted for about 40% of sales.