ATTENTION will be focused on London next week, with Christie's holding a major Irish art sale on Wednesday and Sotheby's selling its Irish art on Thursday. Meanwhile, James Adam and Bonhams have assembled a strong collection for their Irish art auction, which is being held in Dublin on May 28th.

This is the first joint sale between the two houses and while Bonhams sourced several of the paintings in England, most of the 120 or so lots came from Irish owners. All go on show tomorrow at Bonhams's Knightsbridge saleroom. The collection returns to Dublin next week and viewing will commence at James Adam on Sunday 25th.

Inevitably, the highlights of this sale are the paintings by Yeats. The Fretted Trees, depicting a Dublin square, probably St Stephens Green, (not far from Yeats's own final home in Fitzwilliam Square) is expected to fetch £100,000-£120,000, while The Soldier's Son has a higher estimate of £120,000- £140,000. There are several smaller works by the artist, including a pen, ink and colourwash called Western Man, which could make up to £12,000.

Elsewhere, there is a splendid early le Brocquy. L'Apres-Midi d'un Faune, which is expected to make £20,000-£30,000. Inspired by the music of Debussy, this is a tall and magical canvas showing wood nymphs flying through a forest suffused in golden light. Last exhibited in Dublin in the year it was painted, 1938, it has been in a private collection ever since.

Roderic O'Conor's vibrant Red Rocks, Brittany can be seen on the back of the catalogue, but up close it positively glows with light and colour. Its top estimate is £70,000. Several works by Daniel O'Neill are expected to fetch good prices and the best is undoubtedly The Bartered Bride, with its rich, red background and glowing gold tints (£10,000-£15,000).

Another gorgeously colourful work is Nevill Johnson's Patchwork, which depicts, a woman wearing swathed from the waist down in a wild patchwork. Its top estimate is £15,000.

Paul Henry's Windswept Trees and Cottage might appeal to those who don't normally like his work because it has a breezy animated look and wonderful soft earth colours. It could fetch up to £35,000.

For a tenth of that price you could pick up Father Jack Hanlon's charming Students at the Retiro, showing priest playing football in their robes and sashes.

Significant works by Nataniel Hone, Walter Osborne, Charles Lamb Beatrice and Lady Glenavy are also included, making this an excellent, all-round sale.