Antiques: Treasures of Castle Matrix to go under the hammer

Militaria, books and collectibles from Co Limerick at Aidan Foley's auction

Some of the guns to be sold from the collection at Castle Matrix.

Hidden in plain sight, the treasures of Castle Matrix — mostly to be sold without reserve at three online evening sales by Aidan Foley — are many and varied. Militaria, books and collectibles from a collector with an inquiring mind who led a fascinating life will come under the hammer.

Col Sean O'Driscoll was aide to General Douglas MacArthur when he accepted the Japanese surrender in 1945. On retirement in 1961, the Irish-American officer bought and restored Castle Matrix near Rathkeale, originally built around 1420, opening it for mediaeval banquets in 1971.