ON the telephone line the frantic American businessman yelled his bids, in the room an excited Japanese waved his card to attract the auctioneer's eye. Both were desperate to become the new Baron of Owney and Arra.
After a "right royal battle" at the Stationers Hall in the City of London yesterday, the auctioneer, Mr Robert Smith, finally decreed that the anonymous American businessman had won with his bid of £24,000 sterling. Banging his hammer down with a flourish, Mr Smith, declared: "Sold to the man on the phone."
Unfortunately for the new Baron of Owney and Arra, which is in Co Tipperary, unlike many of his peers he is not entitled to "drink for free at every hostelry in the area during a day every November". The Anglo Irish title dates back to the first English invasion of Ireland in 1169 and was sold by the ninth Viscount, Hawarden.
Of the 23 titles for sale at yesterday's auction, six were Anglo Irish, with two lordships - Killmecky, Co Cork, and Donacarney, Co Meath - and the Barony of Granard being sold privately just days before to eager businessmen aspiring to be noblemen.
"Those titles were well publicised and were sold privately. Many of the Irish titles are sold to Americans with Irish roots," explained Mr Smith.
An anonymous Englishman outbid several contenders, including one in Australia, for the Barony of Askeaton in Co Limerick formerly a title of the Earl of Shannon, by paying £23,500 for the privilege.
An anonymous Galway man, accompanied by his solicitor to draw up the necessary contracts, paid £6,750 to become the Lord of Ratra in Co Roscommon.