Portrait of Michael Collins in west Cork auction

Michael Collins has long been a popular subject for Irish artists and portraits of the key figure in 20th-century Irish history always attract interest.

One of the most high-profile – because it is on display in the office of the Taoiseach – is by Sarah Cecilia Harrison and is part of the State's art collection under the care of the Office of Public Works.

Collins was a native of west Cork where Skibbereen-based Morgan O’Driscoll Auctioneers has a portrait of the local hero in an online art auction currently under way.

Michael Collins – an oil-on-board, measuring approximately 4ft by 3.5ft – by Noel Murphy, the London-born (in 1970) and Belfast-based artist, best known for winning a commission to paint the Northern Ireland Assembly in session, is estimated at €8,000-€10,000.

The portrait – and other paintings in the “Off The Wall” sale – are on view in the Skibbereen saleroom this weekend and bids can be submitted – online only – via morganodriscoll.com.

Bidding ends on Monday between 6.30pm - 10.40pm.