Anyone interested in becoming a collector or just simply buying a few antiques will find it increasingly expensive to get started.

Over the past six years, prices of most Irish-made collectables have soared. Items such as paintings and silver have become extremely expensive and at present show no signs of coming down in price. Both decorative and period pieces of silver have shot up in value. Serious collectors searching for rare pieces, such as Cork or Limerick silver or pieces earlier than late Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian, are being forced to pay substantial sums. It's not all bad news though, and business at antique fairs remains brisk. Fairs are a good way of building up a collection, and young and novice collectors can get started with a relatively small investment. Those looking to collect coins, for example, will be able to secure their first piece for under £5, however, cheaper items are usually the least likely to appreciate in value. Those with an interest in military medals should expect to spend up to £1,000 for a full set.

These fairs are held throughout the Republic. In Dublin the next antiques and collectables fair will be held at Newman House, St Stephen's Green on Sunday. These are held twice a month with an additional fair every bank holiday Monday at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.