From an original Irish Proclamation to nuns on the run

A Rolls Royce Corniche at Victor Mee's sale in Tipperary.

AN ORIGINAL copy of the Irish Proclamation in Durrow, a Sheikh’s Rolls Royce at New Inn in Co Tipperary, art in Dublin and a reminder of nuns on the run — what is not to like among the auction offerings in Ireland this week.

An original copy of The Proclamation at Fonsie Mealy.

An original copy of the Proclamation, first, limited and signed editions by Irish and international authors, a collection of Seamus Heaney material, rare maps, fine bindings and the earliest extant programme for the 1913 All-Ireland senior hurling final are all included in Fonsie Mealy’s rare book and collectors sale in Castlecomer next Wednesday and Thursday (October 1 and 2).

More than 1,200 lots, headed by the Proclamation with an estimate of €100,000-€150,000, will come under the hammer. Rarities include an 18-carat gold medal presented in 1846 to Timothy O’Brien of Johnston Mooney and O’Brien for his continued exertions in the manufacture of bread from Indian corn (Trevelyan’s corn) (€15,000-€20,000). A scribal manuscript of Keating’s History of Ireland, transcribed for the use of Edward Denny of Tralee Castle, is similarly estimated. The antiquarian and local history library of the late Tony Bocking of Kinsale is included. The sale will be at the Avalon House Hotel and the auction is on view at Fonsie Mealy’s next Monday and Tuesday. The catalogue is online.

An All-Ireland hurling final programme from 1913, the first final at Jones Road, at Fonsie Mealy.

A Rolls-Royce in a convent auction recalls the group of elderly Poor Clare nuns who made international headlines in 1990 after selling their convent in Bruges and moving to a life of luxury in the South of France. Alas, Victor Mee’s sale of contents from the Convent of Mercy at New Inn in Co Tipperary, which includes both a Rolls and a Bentley, will feature lots from other clients too.

The Hooper built Rolls-Royce Corniche in the sale was once owned by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Ahmed Al Thani. Lot 914 and estimated at €60,000-€120,000. A 1992 Bentley is more modestly estimated at €6,000-€12,000.

The wide ranging collection on offer will include antique furniture, collectibles, Irish art, clocks, lighting, kitchen equipment, carpets and rugs among 1,200 lots.

A 19th century Killarney work table at Victor Mee.

There will be much interest in a Killarney wood work table (€5,000-€8,000), a specimen marble chess table (€5,000-€8,000), an Irish Georgian breakfront bookcase (€3,500-€5,500) and a 19th century French clock garniture (€2,000-€4,000). Artists Edwin Hayes, Louis le Brocquy, Peter Curling, Cecil Maguire and Graham Knuttel will feature along with an Adoration of the Christ Child, a 19th century Italian work after Corregio. A sandstone two tier fountain is estimated at €2,000-€3,000 and there is some garden sculpture. The auction tomorrow (September 28) is both online and in room, while on Monday it will be online only. The sale is on view at the convent from 10 am to 2 pm today and 9 am to 2 pm tomorrow.