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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Bargaining in Birr: Regional antique fairs enjoy a resurgence of interest
Patrick Delany is on a mission. His eyes alight on small pieces of antique furniture, rare and unusual ornamental or functional items – such as an ornate gong on a wooden stand – most of which originated in historical Irish country houses. Delany runs an antiques shop in Cambridge, New Zealand , and he returns to Ireland every year for the Dublin Horse Show , which is on at the RDS in Ballsbridge until Sunday, August 10th. When I meet him, on August 4th, he is perusing the stalls at the Fine Art and Antiques Fair at the County Arms Hotel in Birr, Co Offaly. 'I buy for myself and then sell what I don't like in the shop,' says Delany. He ends up paying €160 for the gong, knocked down from €195 by Louis Walsh, who runs Treasures Antiques and Fine Art store in Athlone, Co Westmeath. READ MORE Bargaining with the dealers is all part of the fun at regional antique fairs, which are enjoying a resurgence of interest. More than 1,100 people come through the doors into the large function room at the Birr hotel. People of all ages can be seen searching for antique furniture, paintings, rugs, chinaware and ornaments. Sellers of coins and bank notes as well as traders in militaria and vintage wines are among the 26 dealers at the fair. Walsh is a veteran of such events, which offer the antique dealer and his son Vernon a wider shop window and sales outlet for their eclectic range; this includes paintings, jewellery, pub and grocery-shop advertising signage, silver and antique furniture. 'We sell a kaleidoscope of antiques,' says Walsh, who buys from private owners and sources items in Belgium, Germany and France. 'All the antique dealers used to buy at the big antique fairs in Britain but the tariffs that came with Brexit has made it too expensive for us.' Hugo Greene, another regular at the annual antiques fair that is held as part of Birr Vintage Week, has a striking selection of Beswick ornaments on his stand. Alongside individual bovine pieces (€95 each), there is a hunting group of two riders on horses, a pack of nine hounds and a fox for €650. Although, he says, ornaments are less popular nowadays, specialised ornaments are still of interest. Beswick pottery hunting group of riders, hounds and a fox (€650) at Hugo Greene's stall. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Beswick pottery, chiefly known for high-quality porcelain figures, was founded in 1894 by James Wright Beswick and his sons, John and Gilbert, in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It was sold to Royal Doulton in 1969 and closed in 2002. A rare Beswick shire horse sold at Potteries auction in Stoke-on-Trent in November 2022 for a record-breaking £11,300 (€12,997 currently). Greene, who used to run Greene's Antique shop in Drogheda, Co Louth, also has a fine display of small tables at his stall. 'Brown furniture has never been so cheap,' he says, pointing to a nest of three tables for €195. Antiques dealers and auctioneers agree that small pieces of antique furniture represents good value for people looking for an alternative to ubiquitous flat-pack furniture. 'The younger generation don't want the big furniture that used to pass from generation to generation, but high quality and rare pieces will always sell, as will mid-century-modern furniture,' says Walsh. He bemoans the demise of traditional wedding presents, remembering the era when 21-piece sets of china and canteens of cutlery were popular. 'People just give money as wedding gifts now,' he says. Norman Allison from Annamoe Antiques in Co Wicklow has a wide range of Persian and Turkish rugs at his corner stall. 'I sell about 70 per cent rugs and 30 per cent textiles. They are all handwoven, vintage or antique,' he says. Seamus Heffernan, from Cashel, Co Tipperary, pays €550 for a silk on cotton Persian rug for his sittingroom. 'I go to most of the antique fairs and I buy what I like,' he says, content with his purchase. Norman Allison (right) with Seamus Heffernan. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Ottoman Empire silver wedding mirror at the stall of Norman Allison from Annamoe Antiques. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Allison also has a table of eye-catching Asian and Middle Eastern pieces. The highly ornate antique silver Ottoman Empire wedding mirror stands out from among them. Veteran traders say the clientele at antique fairs has changed somewhat in recent years, with fewer American visitors and more locals than in previous decades. On the day we visit, most of the customers are from Ireland, with intergenerational family groups and couples of all ages in the majority. [ How to bid wisely at auctions: 'An emotional decision is rarely a wise decision' Opens in new window ] Richard Walsh, from Galway, deals in coins, bank notes and jewellery. 'People are going for quality now rather than quantity,' he says. Walsh sells at between eight and 10 antique fairs each year in Ireland, three specialist coin fairs at the RDS and a couple of international fairs in the Netherlands and Germany. European buyers prefer 'raw' notes and coins – ie ones that you can handle before you buy them – while American and Asian customers tend to opt for 'slabbed' coins and notes. 'The latter are cased in sealed plastic and have been independently checked and graded,' he says. Cherylann Erkelens at her vintage and antique jewellery stall at Birr Fine Arts and Antiques Fair. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill Cherylann Erkelens, owner and Co Antrim jewellery dealer, is at the Birr fair for the first time. She says she has already met many of the dealers and customers at other fairs around the country. 'Buyers are willing to travel to these fairs. I've seen people here that have been at fairs in Cork, Dún Laoghaire, Gorey and Limerick,' she says, adding that her best sellers are gold and silver rings, gold and silver pendants and vintage lockets. ; What did it sell for? Pitch pine refectory-style table Pitch pine refectory-style table Estimate: €700-€800 Hammer price: €1,250 Auction house: Victor Mitchell, Roscrea Persian pattern floor rug Persian pattern floor rug Estimate: €750-€1,200 Hammer price: €1,500 Auction house: Victor Mitchell Pharmacy cabinet Pharmacy cabinet Estimate: €1,200-€1,500 Hammer price: €2,300 Auction house: Victor Mitchell Regency 'coronation' chair Regency 'coronation' chair Estimate: €100-€150 Hammer price: €850 Auction house: Victor Mitchell
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Distinguished Programs Appoints Christina Ross as Vice President, Fine Art Expert in Fine Art and Collectibles Program
NEW YORK, August 06, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Distinguished Programs ("Distinguished"), a national insurance program administrator and MGA, announced the appointment of Christina Ross as vice president, fine art expert, for its Fine Art & Collectibles program. Ross brings more than two decades of experience in the fine art insurance industry, with expertise in underwriting, art market analysis, and business development. She has held leadership positions at several prominent carriers, including Tokio Marine Highland, Markel, and AXA Art Insurance Corporation. Based in California, Ross has cultivated a nationwide network of brokers, collectors, and art industry professionals, making her a trusted resource across the sector. "Christina has spent decades advising on valuation, appraisal, conservation, and loss prevention, making her an invaluable resource for our brokers," said Patrick Drummond, president of Distinguished's Fine Art & Collectibles program. "She understands the unique risks associated with fine art and collectibles and how to protect against them. We're excited to have her on our team to strengthen our program and support our broker partners." "Distinguished has built a strong reputation in the fine art insurance & collectibles space, and I'm excited to bring my experience to further support our brokers and their clients," said Ross. "Together, we can navigate the evolving risks of today's art market and ensure that valuable collections are properly safeguarded." Throughout her career, Ross has developed a reputation for delivering thoughtful, client-focused solutions for both private and corporate collections. She is dedicated to helping brokers and clients navigate the complexities of insuring high-value art and collectibles, maintaining comprehensive protection and peace of mind. For more information about Distinguished and its Fine Art & Collectibles insurance solutions, visit About Distinguished ProgramsDistinguished Programs is a leading national MGA and program manager for specialty property & casualty insurance. The company places insurance in niche sectors such as commercial real estate, hotels & restaurants, community associations, environmental & construction professional, cyber, surety, executive lines, inland marine and fine arts & collectibles. On behalf of its insurance carrier partners, Distinguished typically manages all aspects of the placement process, including product development, marketing, underwriting, policy issuance and claims. Through thoughtful innovation, stemming back to 1995, Distinguished Programs fosters growth and opportunities for its brokers, carriers, and employees. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ritchie Vener(212) 297-3190rvener@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Kneecap Glasgow Hydro Presales and Ticket Prices: Here's how to get tickets to see the controversial Irish rappers
Kneecap have a date with Glasgow. | Getty Images It'll be the band's biggest Scottish show to date - and demand for tickets is likely to be huge. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It's been less than a week since Kneecap played Glasgow's O2 Academy, following being axed from the TRNSMT music festival, but they've already announced their return to the city - and it's a huge one. The trio, comprised of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, released their first single in 2017, with their debut album 3CAG following a year later. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But they didn't achieve widespread fame until last year, with the release of second album Fine Art and a hugely-successful semi-biographical film starring the three rappers - which won a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer. In May band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah during a performance in November 2024. Police then raised concerns about their appearance at TRNSMT potentially leading to disorder - leading to them being dropped from the bill. The band played a triumphant set at Glastonbury recently, despite calls from politicians for them to be dropped, and played Glasgow's O2 Academy just three days before they were mean to play Glasgow Green. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad They've now announced a huge UK tour - including a date in Scotland. Here's everything you need to know. When are Kneecap playing Glasgow? Kneecap play Glasgow's OVO Hydro on Sunday, November 30. When do tickets go on sale for Kneecap? Tickets go on general sale here at 10am on Friday, July 18. To give yourself the best chance of getting a ticket make sure you have an account set up and are logged in well before the tickets go on sale. Are there any presales for Kneecap's Hydro gig? As ever, there are a couple of ways to get your hands on tickets before the general sale. OVO Energy customers will be able to access tickets from 10am on Wednesday, July 16, here. If you are not a customer it's worth asking around family and friends to see if they could pick up a ticket for you. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Customers of O2 will also be able to grab tickets at 10am on Wednesday, July 16, via the Priority App. Again, it's worth seeing if anybody you know is on an 02 mobile phone contract. How much are tickets to see Kneecap at Glasgow's OVO Hydro? Tickets for the gig are priced at £53.60 - £64.95, depending on where you are sitting or standing. Where else are Kneecap playing on their UK tour? Here are the full tour dates: November 14: O2 Academy BournemouthBournemouth, England November 15: Blackstone Street Warehouse, Liverpool November 17: DEPOT, Cardiff November 18: The Prospect Building, Bristol November 20: O2 Academy, Leeds November 22: O2 City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne November 24: Octagon, Sheffield November 27: O2 Academy, Birmingham November 28: Manchester Academy November 30: OVO Hydro, Glasgow Who is supporting Kneecap at Glasgow's OVO Hydro? No support has been announced yet - watch this space. Are there any age restrictions at Kneecap's Glasgow gig? It's over-16's only at Kneecap's Hydro show. What's the likely setlist for the Kneecap Glasgow gig? Here's what the band played at the 02 Academy - expect to hear a similar set when they return for their Hydro show.
Edinburgh Live
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Rod Stewart's huge Glastonbury performance mocked during band's controversial set
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Kneecap took a swipe at Sir Rod Stewart during their buzz-worthy set at Glastonbury, with the Belfast-based trio grabbing headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, announced: "I'm a free man." The 27 year old MC targeted the 80 year old music icon early in the performance, asking the crowd: "Is anyone going to see Rod Stewart tomorrow night?". Met with loud boos from an audience clad in tri-colour balaclavas and "Free Mo Chara" t-shirts, O'Hanna feigned surprise and asked, "Wait, did I miss something?" before jibing: "He's older than Israel." READ MORE - Meghan Markle's awkward Prince Andrew 'blunder' that left Prince Harry perplexed READ MORE - West Lothian's Lewis Capaldi makes second surprise comeback as fans say same thing Their Saturday show was mired in controversy with anti-Keir Starmer chants echoing through their performance. Prior to the festival, political figures had lobbied for Kneecap's removal from the lineup, with Sir Keir Starmer labelling their act "inappropriate". Nevertheless, Naoise O Caireallain, also known as Moglai Bap, dismissed these critics by asserting: "The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.", reports the Express. Moglai Bap expressed his gratitude towards the Eavis family who remained steadfast in their support against the backdrop of calls to cancel the group's performance. (Image:) (Image: Getty) (Image:) The band ignited the crowd at the festival, leading passionate "Free Palestine" chants, as Mo Chara took note of the sea of flags at the event. 27 year old O hAnnaidh made a statement wearing a keffiyeh, while JJ O Dochartaigh, also known as DJ Provai, stood out in his tri-colour balaclava and T-shirt that read: "We are all Palestine Action", showing support for the group under threat of being banned. The hip-hop act burst onto the stage with audio clips of dismissive media coverage playing in the background, prompting jeers from the Glastonbury audience. They kicked off with 'Better Way To Live' from their upcoming 2024 album Fine Art and continued with hits such as 'Get Your Brits Out' and 'Hood'. Anticipation built substantially around West Holts Stage, with crowds gathering around 45 minutes ahead of their performance, necessitating crowd control measures due to the fervent turnout, many showcasing Irish and Palestinian banners. Before this act, rap punk outfit Bob Vylan stirred up the attendees with shouts of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF", setting a politically charged atmosphere in advance of Kneecap's set. Following the dynamic responses to the chants regarding the IDF, a BBC spokesperson stated: "Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive." They added: "The live stream on iPlayer presented the events as they occurred with a warning about the extreme and discriminatory language used. The corporation has decided not to host the performance for replay."
Wales Online
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Kneecap lead Glastonbury crowd in chants against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
Kneecap lead Glastonbury crowd in chants against Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer The group, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence Kneecap party with Jamie Dornan after Glastonbury set (Image: @kneecap32/instagram ) Kneecap led Glastonbury crowds in chants of "f*** Keir Starmer" during their set at the festival on Saturday. The group, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. In the run-up to the festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset, several politicians called for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said their performance would not be "appropriate". Member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said: "The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer." He also said a "big thank you to the Eavis family" and said "they stood strong" amid calls for the organisers to drop them from the line-up. The band also led crowds in chants of "Free Palestine", with Mo Chara commenting on the sheer number of flags at the festival. Article continues below O hAnnaidh, 27, wore a keffiyeh during the set, while member JJ O Dochartaigh, who performs under the name DJ Provai, wore his signature tri-coloured balaclava as well as a T-shirt that said: "We are all Palestine Action" in reference to the soon-to-be banned campaign group. News broadcasts criticising the hip hop trio played from the sound system before they walked onto the stage were booed by the Glastonbury Festival audience. The trio opened with the song Better Way To Live from their 2024 album Fine Art and also performed tracks including Get Your Brits Out and Hood. Access to the area around the West Holts Stage was closed around 45 minutes before their performance after groups of fans arrived to form a sea of Irish and Palestinian flags. Rap punk duo Bob Vylan performed on the stage before Kneecap and led the crowd in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF". Earlier on Saturday, the BBC confirmed they would not be live-streaming the set but said the performance is likely to be made available on-demand later. It is understood the BBC needs to consider the performance before making a final decision. The band said on Instagram: "The propaganda wing of the regime has just contacted us.... "They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the iPlayer later this evening for your viewing pleasure." During their set Mo Chara said: "The BBC editor is going to have some job." O hAnnaidh was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" at a gig in November last year. On June 18, the rapper was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates O Caireallain and O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts. He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on August 20. Ahead of the group's performance, Gemma Gibson, 41, from Newcastle, told the PA news agency that she was "really excited" to see Kneecap perform. Asked if their set should have been cancelled amid the ongoing controversy, she said: "Well, that would be completely against everything that Glastonbury stands for... This is where they should be." Also among the crowds for Kneecap was green energy industrialist Dale Vince. Vince, the boss of Ecotricity, unfurled a huge Palestinian flag outside the energy giant's headquarters in Stroud, Gloucestershire on Saturday. He said: "We're flying this flag in support of the Palestinian people." Alternative metal band Deftones were due to play on Saturday night but their slot has now been filled by rapper Skepta. A social media post from Glastonbury Festival said: "Deftones have been forced to cancel tonight's 8.30pm Other Stage performance due to illness in the band. "Skepta will kindly step-in, taking the stage at 9pm. "He says: 'Let's go!!! No crew, no production but am ready to shut Glastonbury down. Victory lap time. Pre-Big Smoke 2025!'" A statement on the Deftones's official account on Instagram, posted to their stories, said: "In an unfortunate development, an illness in the band is going to prevent us from playing Glastonbury tonight. "We're devastated to be missing out on something we've been looking forward to for months, but sometimes circumstances out of our control interfere with things we want to do the most. "We really hope to return to Glastonbury soon, and as it currently stands, we plan on seeing you tomorrow at Crystal Palace." On the Pyramid Stage, Pulp were revealed to be Patchwork, with the Sheffield-formed Britpop band paying homage to their breakthrough 1995 stand-in headline set during the performance. Also playing on Saturday afternoon were Leeds rock band Kaiser Chiefs and US star Brandi Carlile, who released an album with Sir Elton John earlier in the year. Irish singer CMAT, who played the Pyramid Stage on Friday, performed a secret set at the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday. Neil Young, best known for songs such as Rockin' In The Free World, Like A Hurricane and Cinnamon Girl, will headline the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with his band the Chrome Hearts. The BBC will broadcast Young's set after previously saying it would not be shown "at the artist's request". Another act expected to draw a big crowd is Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage around the same time Young and Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii will also perform. Celebrities who have been spotted at the festival include singer Harry Styles, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, The Crown actor Emma Corrin, and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn. Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests. Article continues below The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
