AN irreplaceable part of Ireland’s patrimony is to be auctioned off in London, though last Saturday President Michael D Higgins presided at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Heritage Council, writes Gerard Howlin.

Works of art by Peter Paul Rubens, David Teniers the Younger, and Francesco Guardi are among a small group of carefully selected Old Masters from Russborough House that will be sold at Christie’s in London in July.

MUSIC NEWS: She’s conquered Britain, America and the world, now Adele is following in the footsteps of music legends Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner and, er, Sheena Easton.

A French waiter went on trial today accused of stealing dozens of artworks from museums across Europe during a seven year, billion dollar, spree.