Des O’Sullivan says that 2015 has been a year when records were broken for sales of art and sculpture.

THE decision by the Alfred Beit Foundation, which runs Russborough House in Wicklow, to sell paintings by Rubens and other old masters to raise funds to maintain the house is not the first time such a crossroads has been reached.

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.

Check out our guide to what to watch on TV tonight.

She was a Polish farmer’s daughter who emigrated to the United States, a maid who worked for a wealthy American heir, a third wife who inherited much of the Johnson & Johnson fortune after a sensational court battle with her six stepchildren.

Mark Webber believes he will see out his career with Red Bull as he cannot imagine not being at the sharp end of the Formula One grid.

Scandinavia has given birth to some of the most gripping and terrifying thrillers in recent years.

Enrique Juncosa’s tenure at Imma has brought an international dimension to the gallery’s programming,says Alan O’Riordan

Williams chairman Adam Parr has confirmed the team appear certain to retain Rubens Barrichello and Pastor Maldonado for next year.

THE royal wedding guests will celebrate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton in one of the most opulent buildings in the world — Buckingham Palace.

Williams have today dispensed with the services of Nico Hulkenberg despite claiming he produced “convincing performances” in his debut season and that he has “an undoubtedly bright future in the sport”.

Michael Schumacher issued a rare apology, but it seemed less than wholehearted as he said sorry to former team-mate Rubens Barrichello for almost putting him in the wall in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

LEWIS HAMILTON fears his world title dreams are “hanging by a thin thread” following McLaren’s horror weekend in Hungary.

Michael Schumacher has apologised to former team-mate Rubens Barrichello after almost pushing him into the wall defending his position in the Hungarian Grand Prix yesterday.

Felipe Massa has vehemently dismissed suggestions he betrayed his country during the team orders furore in Germany on Sunday.

Ross Brawn has paid today tribute to Rubens Barrichello whose Indian summer in Formula One will continue with Williams next year.

Ross Brawn paid tribute to staff past and present who helped turn a team on the brink of extinction into Formula One world champions.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has warned Jenson Button not to be too cautious in his bid to clinch the Formula One world title.

JENSON BUTTON was relieved to have limited the damage from a tumultuous weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix as the Brawn GP driver moved a step closer to securing his first-ever Formula One world championship.

McLAREN boss Martin Whitmarsh feels Jenson Button can now cruise to the Formula One world title after good fortune again smiled on the Briton under Singapore’s lights.

The fight for this year’s Formula One world title is effectively a two-man battle after Rubens Barrichello led home a Brawn GP one-two at the Italian Grand Prix.

LEWIS HAMILTON is desperate to savour that podium feeling again.

Mark Webber will start on pole position for the first time in his Formula One career following a stunning qualifying for tomorrow’s German Grand Prix.

Jenson Button is poised to commit his long-term future to Brawn GP following his sensational start to the new Formula One season.

JENSON BUTTON has vowed to put on a show for his fans next month as he is now guaranteed to be world championship leader going into the British Grand Prix.

ROSS BRAWN heads into the pressure-cooker environment of Monaco relieved to no longer be working for a manufacturer.

Ross Brawn believes Rubens Barrichello’s bitterness following his latest defeat by team-mate Jenson Button is “a healthy sign”.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO has threatened to quit Formula One if he senses team orders coming into play in his fight for the title with team-mate Jenson Button.

JENSON BUTTON may have recently toasted his dynamic start to the Formula One season, but he knows the fight has only just begun if he is to be crowned world champion.

Jenson Button knows hopes of back-to-back victories for the first time in his Formula One career are at the mercy of Malaysia’s renowned weather.

ROSS BRAWN feels his new team have overcome their biggest hurdle as they now focus on the start of the new Formula One season.

Ross Brawn feels his new team have overcome their biggest hurdle as they now focus on the start of the new Formula One season.

Jenson Button feels Rubens Barrichello’s experience will be more beneficial to Honda next season than the youth of either Bruno Senna or Lucas Di Grassi.

Rubens Barrichello is not expecting a repeat of his maiden win at Hockenheim this weekend, but has not ruled out another podium to savour.

Jenson Button is looking to end his recent miserable run at this weekend’s French Grand Prix.

Honda chief Nick Fry is refusing to offer veteran Rubens Barrichello a guarantee he will be around next year, never mind in a position to chalk up 300 grands prix.

Michael Schumacher has vowed to pour all his energy into securing a final Formula One world title before retiring.

RENAULT hope Michael Schumacher’s unease at the Chinese Grand Prix will help them regain their title momentum.

Former Formula One world champion Nigel Mansell has warned Jenson Button he must “get a win under his belt pretty quickly” if he is to fulfil his potential.

Honda boss Nick Fry believes his new driver line-up is not only the best in his team’s seven-year history – but the best in Formula One this year.

Rubens Barrichello believes he has swapped Ferrari for an even better team after officially becoming a Honda driver this week.

Jenson Button has welcomed Rubens Barrichello to BAR-Honda by allowing the Brazilian to race with his lucky number next year.

Nick Fry has admitted BAR-Honda under-achieved this year and has set his team a target of winning races in 2006.