The Irish Hospitals Sweeps silver model made 4,400.
The silver presentation cup marking the defence of Trinity College, Dublin during the 1916 Rising was the top silver lot at the opening day of Mealy’s three day sale in Castlecomer this week. Made by West and Son and hallmarked 1916 it sold for a hammer price of 6,600. The rare cups were awarded to people who defended Trinity at the locked gates and from the roof shortly after firing began on Monday, April 24, 1916. The college was defended throughout the week without any indication that the rebels planned to invade it. The cup had been estimated at 2,000-3,000.
The second most expensive silver lot, at 4,400, was the silver model of a blindfolded woman over an Irish Hospital Sweepstake rotating drum. It had been estimated at 2,000-3,000. The plaque on the base is inscribed: “To Joe McGrath from one of the Drummers 1932.” A George II two handled silver cup and cover by John Wilme, 1736 sold for 3,000, an 1896 Sheffield silver presentation tray sold for 2,800 and a canteen of Irish silver flatware by J. Smith, Dublin 1860 made 2,500.