Auction frenzy does museums no favour
The excitement and speculation that builds around a sale of this kind has an impact on the civic and philanthropic spirit on which most museums largely depend to build and enhance their collections.
The vast bulk of material held in Irish museums, especially those run as public institutions for the enlightenment and education of all citizens, comes by way of donation. There has been a long tradition of civic-spirited giving in which ordinary citizens have quietly, selflessly, often anonymously, and in a spirit of real patriotism, given historically precious things to museums for the benefit of present and future generations.
