PICS: Relics of ascendency under the hammer at Adare Manor auction

Relics of an ascendancy which once humoured and bestowed comfort to the Earls of Dunraven over several centuries are destined for new homes after a marathon two-day auction in the Adare Manor hotel.

More than 1,800 items ranging from colonial four-poster beds to delightful paintings will have succumbed to auctioneer Aidan Foley’s gavel by close of business this evening.

The Mallow, Co Cork, man said: “I will spend over 19 hours in all on the stand. We have a team of 24, with my wife Kay in control of the whole operation.