Hirst painting bought for €95,000

A barn in a corner of Co Monaghan was the unusual setting for a Damien Hirst auction at the weekend, where bidders sat on bales of hay. Held as a fundraiser during the inaugural Flatlake Festival, the painting by the Turner prize winner was bought for €95,000 by an art dealer from Co Wicklow.

The painting by Hirst, a brightly coloured work of pinks, purples and turquoise initially fetched only €380 during a blind auction on Saturday night when over 40 pieces of artwork, signed on the back were exhibited.

Film producer Alan Maloney was the successful bidder for the Hirst painting at the blind auction, but donated the work back to the festival where it was auctioned on to raise funds for the Flatlake Arts Project.

"We're absolutely thrilled" said Kevin Allen, who organised the festival with Patrick McCabe. "We did this on no budget - now I can sleep at night". There were numerous works of art donated to the blind auction, including some children's paintings - "we planted a few red herrings" Allen said.

Keith Allen, brother of Kevin and father of popstar Lilly Allen, spent over €2,000 buying back works created by him and his partner which they had donated to the blind auction. This is the first Hirst purchase for Kevin Spillane from Delgany. "It was done in the spirit of the event" he said.