02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Rich pickings for antique hunters enjoying the fun of the fairs
Even though it is not on Route 66, antique lovers can get their kicks in Birr this bank holiday weekend. The antique and art fair, which runs in conjunction with Birr Vintage Week, will take place at the County Arms Hotel on Monday and Tuesday (August 4 and 5).
With more than 30 dealers in antique furniture, art and collectables from around the country in attendance, this popular fair is a fixture at this time of year, as Birr celebrates all things retro with arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop-up performances, workshops and exhibitions until August 9.
There is treasure to be hunted for and found in this great period setting. The enjoyable and long-running antique fair offers a huge variety with everything from vintage Persian rugs to fine art, jewellery and antique furniture with collectables galore.
A Persian Hamadan runner at the Birr antique fair.
Rarities include a 31-foot-long Persian 1970s Hamadan runner. It is just 2ft 8in wide (9 metres by 900 centimetres). Norman Allison Antiques of Annamore, Co Wicklow, will include it among a selection of handwoven rugs and runners.
Collectables are always popular and Robert Hutchinson will offer a display of coins, banknotes and militaria including complete selections of coins of Ireland from 1934, 1939 and 1942.
There will be a selection of gold chains and charm bracelets at Eddie Moylan's stand and vintage jewellery from Cherylann.
The Purple Onion Gallery will bring a selection of work by Henry McGrane and other artists from their stable.
'Framed by Wisteria' by Mark O'Neill will be at the Treasures Irish Art stand at the Birr antique and art fair.
Treasures Irish Art of Athlone is a stalwart supporter of this fair. Its selection will include Framed by Wisteria by Mark O'Neill and Lough Inagh by Grace Cunningham.
Organiser Robin O'Donnell confidently expects a great turnout of both regulars and newcomers to this heart of Ireland annual event.
Along with rugs, Norman Allison will offer art by the English Victorian landscape painter William Shayer (1787-1879) and a Regency double fusee wall clock. Raymond Byrne will offer small antique furniture pieces, old Irish glass, silver and collectables.
A double fusee wall clock at the Birr antique fair.
Fairs like this are great hunting grounds for small pieces of silver, old Irish glass, fashion and accessories. You might not even know you really, really wanted it until you see it.
And if the wait until Monday proves to be too much, then the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire is the venue for the
South Dublin Antiques, Vintage & More Fair tomorrow (August 3). This fair will offer antique and vintage furniture and interior decor, fine art, vintage kitchen and tableware, jewellery, rare books and memorabilia.
Dun Laoghaire is one of the most popular venues on the Vintage Ireland calendar of fairs.
