Great opportunity to have pieces of art valued this weekend

Wondering if an unsigned west of Ireland painting you inherited might be a Paul Henry or just a very good copy? Anxious to value a family heirloom? Think a Chinese vase you picked up at a carboot sale might be seriously valuable?

Anyone hankering for an Antiques Roadshow moment this weekend should head to Russborough House in Blessington, Co Wicklow, which is hosting two days of valuations by experts from the Irish Antique Dealers Association (IADA).

Today and tomorrow (April 18th and 19th) from noon to 5pm, members of the public can bring along antiques and collectibles to be assessed by specialists.

There will also be free lectures on collecting antiques and a guided tour of the house each afternoon at 3.30pm.

The IADA says the event is part of an antiques week to mark the organisation’s 50th anniversary and is designed to enable its members to share their knowledge with the public.

The dealers intend “to celebrate Irish antiques” which they say are “unique, tangible mementos of our heritage, moments of history captured in time which showcase, in many instances, long-lost specialisations”.