Sotheby's has recently announced details of the company's annual Irish Sale, which is to take place on Thursday, May 21st. This is the fourth such sale organised by Sotheby's. As usual, the sale will be held in London after selected lots are shown in Dublin, Belfast, Boston and New York.

Last year's sale realised a total of £4.7 million and world records were set for a number of Irish artists, including Sir John Lavery (£727,500), William Leech (£254,500) and William Ashford (£89,000).

Among the items already confirmed for inclusion in May's sale, is a 1950 oil by Jack B. Yeats called The Parting of Three Ways (£80,000-£120,000) and William Leech's The Pier, Concarneau (£70,000-£100,000).

Sir John Lavery's The Walnut Tree, St Patrick's Purgatory, Lough Derg is expected to sell for £40,000-£60,000, a pair of first period "Boy and Shell" vases has an estimate of £1,500-£2,000 and a silver fruit basket by William Williamson of Dublin (circa 1750) is expected to fetch £12,000-£15,000.