A collection of Cork silhouettes by Stephen O’Driscoll at Lynes and Lynes.
A feast of rare and tempting collectibles from old Cork silhouettes and magic lantern slides at Lynes and Lynes to an 1850’s governess cart and a collection of over 5,000 vinyl records at Aidan Foley awaits auction goers and online acquirers this week.
From gracious bedroom contents at five star Mount Juliet to the hallowed halls of a bishop’s palace there is a long and seductive list of available lots.
In their first auction of 2026 at Carrigtwohill on April 25 Lynes and Lynes will offer part two of the contents from the estate of the late Tom and Kay Burke of Cork, items from the collection of newly retired Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Paul Colton and a pair of portraits by renowned Polish artist, writer, philosopher and theorist Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz Witkacy, a political commissar in St. Petersburg in 1916 during the Russian Revolution.
At online auctions on April 20, 21 and 22 at 6 pm Aidan Foley of Doneraile will offer contents from 30 bedrooms at Mount Juliet including quality satinwood bedroom suites along with contents from The Brogue Inn, Killimer and from an old record shop. The auction is on view this weekend at the old Cleeves toffee factory off the Dock Road in Limerick.
A c1930 French Art Deco tea and coffee service at Lynes and Lynes.
It is unusual to find a collection of 12 Cork silhouettes by Stephen O’Driscoll (c1825-1895) in one auction. The Cork lithographer produced portraits of prominent citizens, street characters and beggars, often touched up with gold or paint, and they are always sought after. Estimated at €2,500-€3,500 these ones carry titles like: The Mayoralty 1885, Cork Union Workhouse, Waiting for the boat, The Royal Visit to Cork and “stand back my Lord and let the coffin pass”.
The most expensive lots at Lynes are the Polish portraits, each estimated at €15,000-€20,000, a high silver content Art Deco French tea and coffee service (€5,000-€6,000) and an early Irish Georgian bureau bookcase (€3,000-€5,000).
Among more than 400 lots are a large collection of hand painted magic lantern slides and machine (€300-€500), a one armed bandit in working order (€100-€200), a gold mesh bracelet (€3,000-€4,000), an old advertising sign for P Gallwey, Wine and Spirit Merchants, Cork (€40-€60), a Kentucky Derby amusement arcade horse racing game (€200-€400), a Regency wine table (€200-€300) and a 1904 gold sovereign (€400-€600).
Viewing for this highly varied and interesting sale is now underway and continues from 10 am to 5 pm daily until next Friday.
Original Pogues ten days of Christmas tour posters from the Savoy in Limerick at Aidan Foley’s sale.
Aidan Foley has previously sold contents from Ashford Castle, Adare Manor and Cashel Palace and even though old style bedroom furniture is out of fashion he anticipates considerable interest in this sale. The bedrooms at Mount Juliet yielded plenty to interest latter day collectors. There are 30 pairs of lined curtains which have been professionally packed and are in excellent condition, modern four poster beds, Victorian wardrobes, Victorian and Georgian chests of drawers, dressing tables, a good Georgian sideboard and artwork including two original 19th century equestrian paintings.
There will be demand from France and Germany for music posters from the Brogue Inn featuring Thin Lizzy, U2 and The Pogues among others. The collection includes Guinness mirrors, catering equipment, restaurant furniture and a variety of pub collectibles. The auction also offers a collection of more than 5,000 vinyl records from the 1970’s and ’80’s from an old record shop. Many of these are in mint condition and unused.
A Victorian horse drawn governess card at Aidan Foley’s sale.
