Haughey bookcase in Meath sale

THE legacy of the late former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey is a gift that keeps on giving

THE legacy of the late former Taoiseach Charles J Haughey is a gift that keeps on giving. A Victorian mahogany bookcase, right, from his home, Abbeville, Kinsealy, Co Dublin, has turned up at Matthews Auction Rooms, in Oldcastle, Co Meath where it will go under the hammer next Tuesday evening (July 26th) at 6.30pm with an estimate of €2,000-€3,000.

Also in the sale is an unusual piece of furniture in the style of Pugin, the 19th century architect famous for his Gothic-Revival designs for the Palace of Westminster and various churches in Ireland including St Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy and the Chapel at Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham.

The oak table described as “after Pugin” by the auctioneers, which once stood in Dún Laoghaire town hall, is estimated at €6,000-9,000. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Council is understood to have sold the table when its offices were refurbished some years ago.

Michael Parsons

Michael Parsons

Michael Parsons is a contributor to The Irish Times writing about fine art and antiques