Renowned Irish painting to be sold at auction

A painting by one of Ireland's most sought-after artists unearthed on 'The Antiques Roadshow' is to be auctioned.

'The Bog Road', by renowned Ulster artist Paul Henry, was rediscovered at a BBC Roadshow earlier this year, where expert valuer Rupert Maas placed £40,000 (€45,000) on the work.

The painting is estimated to fetch up to €60,000 at the Important Irish art sale in Adam's Auctioneers in Dublin on Wednesday.

David Britton, of Adam's, said such hidden in the attic discoveries are few and far between.

"This picture had been bought directly from the artist in 1938 by Wilfred Toone who was the grandfather of the owner," said Mr Britton.

"Toone and his wife were the founders of the well known Dublin school, Castle Park in Dalkey in 1904 and we understand the picture has never been seen in public for over 80 years, having remained undiscovered in the family collection all this time."

Mr Toone later gifted the painting to his grandson David, who recently asked his wife to have it valued at the Roadshow in Bath because he was too ill to attend himself.

Amazed at its value, he requested it be sold at Adam's to provide for the future of his family, who live in England. Sadly the vendor died just before the programme was aired on TV.

Mr Britton said the piece is the second Paul Henry roadshow find handled by the salesroom.

"The last Paul Henry discovery, called 'Dooega, Achill Island Co Mayo,' caught the public's imagination and worldwide media attention when it went under the hammer and fetched a small fortune," he added.

"Our expectations for The Bog Road are also high as the work is in untouched, excellent condition and is a superb example of the leading Ulster artist's abilities as a landscape painter."

'The Big Road' is among 150 lots of pictures and sculpture by Ireland's top artists, including Colin Middleton, Basil Blackshaw, Tony O'Malley, John Shinnors, Sean Keating and Nathaniel Hill, the recently rediscovered Cork artist whose work came to light in Adam's French Connection exhibition in the summer.