Big auction bids put Irish antique and arts market in global spotlight

Des O’Sullivan reports on a remarkable week at Ireland’s top auctions.

THE digital world is exerting a growing influence on Irish and international art and antiques markets.

Last week’s sale of a native Indian costume, which had been illustrated on these pages a couple of weeks ago, for €320,000 to a telephone buyer from America at Fonsie Mealy’s auction in Castlecomer is just one example of how global the market has become nowadays.