From portraits to swords, auction lots at Howth Castle have many stories to tell

Des O'Sullivan looks into the history behind the fascinating lots at the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle

Some of the lots at the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle.

Sat, 25 Apr, 2026 - 02:55

Des O’Sullivan

From old vellum manuscripts forging the politics of a decade that shaped modern Europe to William Moore-style commodes, a landmark achievement in aviation and banshee shrieks that foretold the sudden death of Lord Rossmore in 1801, the breadth of the James Adam Country House Collections sale at Howth Castle next week is astonishing. Every auction tells a story. This one is more storied than most.

The managing director of James Adam, Stuart Cole, is usually drawn to a fine piece of Georgian furniture or a compelling portrait. This time, he was stopped in his tracks by three vellum books. Lot 522 (€7,000-€10,000) comprises the working field books of two successive English envoys of King William III.