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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Valuing cherished heirlooms: ‘Google can be a good starting point but it's best to ask a specialist
Auctioneers regularly hear from members of the public seeking their opinion on the value of a piece of jewellery, a painting, a rare book or a piece of antique furniture. And while most auctioneers offer their expertise for free, many say that members of the public often have unrealistically high expectations of the value of the items they bring in to be valued. 'Some clients have done their own research before they come to us but a lot of the time it has been done incorrectly, leading them to having higher expectations than the true auction market,' says Claire-Laurence Mestrallet, head of jewellery at Adam's Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers on St Stephen's Green , Dublin . She explains that people can be confused between the insurance valuation (ie the retail value in case of loss or damage) and the more realistic price a piece might fetch when sold at auction. 'Sometimes pieces are overvalued for insurance,' she says. According to Mestrallet, some people accept the valuation given by the auctioneer, while others need time to come to terms with the news before deciding to sell a piece. READ MORE Engagement rings are among the items for which valuations are frequently sought. Jewellery that's no longer worn and jewellery that's been inherited but not necessarily wanted are also likely to be brought in for assessment on valuation days, she says. It's often the case that people no longer want to keep valuable jewellery that they don't wear in their homes and decide to sell it on. Adam's is hosting valuation days next week in hotels in Dublin (Monday, July 28th), Belfast (Tuesday, July 29th), Cork (Wednesday, July 30th) and Limerick (Thursday, July 31st). Anyone interested in attending should email stephanie@ in advance. Mestrallet says valuation days always bring some surprises. 'It's like fishing. Some days, there is nothing and other days, you might see something spectacular,' she says. Valuation days are also a way for auctioneers to build relationships with future clients, with about 40-50 per cent of items seen on the day put on the market for sale subsequently. Will de Búrca of De Búrca Rare Books in Blackrock, Co Dublin, says his antiquarian and rare books shop receives photographs almost on a daily basis from people 'hoping they've stumbled upon a hidden treasure in their attic or in their inherited library'. Most of the time, the owners of these potentially rare books, maps or manuscripts have already typed the details into Google in the hope of finding the answers to their questions. 'The internet can be a good starting point but it's a bit like diagnosing an illness – it's best to ask a specialist,' says de Búrca. 'What many people don't realise is that a book's true value lies in the detail: edition, condition, rarity, provenance and sometimes the story attached to it.' While it may be difficult to fathom, he says two books with the same title and date can differ in value substantially. 'Valuations can be a bit of a reality check. Sometimes people are disappointed to learn their cherished heirloom is more sentiment than substance. Others are pleasantly surprised to discover that a volume on their shelf is actually quite valuable,' says de Búrca. Genuinely valuable or remarkable books don't turn up very often. 'Most inquiries turn out to be relatively common editions or books with more sentimental than market value.' He says that what makes a book particularly interesting for a dealer isn't always its monetary value. 'It's rather if it has unique binding, marginalia [notes written in the margins of the text] from a notable owner or a forgotten piece of Irish printing that fills a gap in the historical record.' De Búrca Rare Books regularly puts up a selection of new books on its website for collectors to view. Moral Tales, by Maria Edgeworth, new edition, complete in one volume, with three plates, designs by Harvey; (€575) Morgan O'Driscoll, which has offices in Skibbereen, Co Cork and Fitzwilliam Square in Dublin, says paintings are often brought in for valuations. 'If people send us an image of a painting, we will give them an initial valuation but we will never sell something unless we physically have it here,' says O'Driscoll. A final, formal valuation will only be given once he sees the painting in person to check its authenticity, size and condition. 'Valuations are one of the most rewarding aspects of the job – never knowing when something truly special will come through the door. Those unexpected finds keep things exciting,' he says. On average, O'Driscoll estimates that about 50 per cent of the paintings sold in his art auctions come in through clients seeking valuations. One such work is the John Shinnors painting Falling, which is being offered in his current Irish Art online auction. Executed by the artist between 2000 and 2001, the oil-on-canvas work carries an estimate of between €8,000 and €12,000 and is available to bid on until 6.30pm this Monday, July 28th. Lot 18: Falling, by John Shinnors, Morgan O'Driscoll's Irish art online auction (estimate €8,000-€12,000) Lot 70: Cottage with red door and tree, by Graham Knuttel, Morgan O'Driscoll's Irish art online auction (€1,500-€2,500) Lot 106: Coming Home, Achill Island, by Alice Hanratty, Morgan O'Driscoll's Irish art online auction (€800-€1,200) Lot 33: Roses on Table (after McGahern) (1998), by Nick Miller, Morgan O'Driscoll's Irish art online auction (€2,000-€3,000) According to O'Driscoll, most people are happy with the estimates that auctioneers give them. 'They can see online the highest price an artist has made and avid collectors will know how much each artist's paintings are worth,' he says. ; ; What did it sell for? The original Hermes Birkin Bag, owned by Jane Birkin, was sold at the Sotheby's Fashion Icons Auction in Paris. Photograph: Sotheby's/PA Jane Birkin's original Hermes Birkin bag Estimate €1 million (bidding opened at this level) Hammer price €8.6 million Auction house Sotheby's Lady's Rolex Cellini cream face wristwatch with Roman numerals and an 18ct gold case, clasp and buckle with black leather strap Rolex Cellini Estimate €3,000-€4,000 Hammer price Unsold Auction house O'Reilly's Patek Philippe 'Golden Ellipse' 18ct yellow gold man's watch Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse Estimate €7,500-€8,500 Hammer price €8,333 Auction house Adam's Blackrock Chopard 'Happy Sport' stainless steel diamond-set lady's wristwatch Chopard Happy Sport Estimate €1,800-€2,000 Hammer price €952 Auction house Adam's Blackrock
BreakingNews.ie
15-07-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Butler brothers secure stay on order restricting them from acting as company directors
Two brothers behind a number of high profile Irish franchises – including several Starbucks cafes, TGI Fridays, Mao and Hard Rock Cafe – have secured a stay on a court order restricting them from acting as directors. In a judgment published last month, Ms Justice Nessa Cahill found Colum and Ciaran Butler failed to prove they acted responsibly in the operation of one of their companies, Downtul Ltd, which leased a premises at St Stephen's Green, Dublin, that operated as a Starbucks. Advertisement Downtul was placed in voluntary liquidation in November 2022. The judge granted a declaration sought by Downtul liquidator Patrick O'Connell restricting the brothers from acting as company directors or secretaries for five years unless the company meets certain requirements set out in the Companies Act 2014. Such an order means that, for the Butler brothers to act as directors of a company during that five-year period, that company must have share capital of at least €100,000 paid up by shareholders – or €500,000 in the case of a public limited company. The judge had found that the brothers did discharge the burden of showing they acted honestly in the operation of Downtul. Advertisement Lawyers for the Butlers on Tuesday successfully applied for a stay on the order, after submitting that their clients would require time to get their affairs in order. Brian McGuckian told the court his instructions were to seek a stay on the order for six months for two reasons. He said he was firstly seeking the stay to allow the Butlers time to organise their affairs, noting that Ciaran is the director of 134 companies, while Colum is the director of over 170 companies. Mr McGuckian said there was a general practice of the court affording directors time to organise their affairs in the context of an order of this kind. Advertisement He said he was also seeking a stay pending a possible appeal being brought against the High Court decision. Padraic Lyons SC, for the receiver, said there was an obvious distinction between the granting of a stay pending an appeal, and a stay to allow the directors to get their affairs in order. His side had received no correspondence on a potential appeal, and there were no draft grounds of appeal before the court. It was a matter for the directors to put before the court arguable grounds for appeal, he said. Ireland Jury views CCTV footage of Tom Niland hours before... Read More Mr Lyons agreed there should be a stay granted to allow the directors to organise their affairs but submitted that six months was an excessive amount of time. Ms Justice Nessa Cahill said she would grant a stay of four months to allow the Butlers to organise their affairs. She said she was not granting the stay pending a possible appeal, but noted the granted stay will be the same terms had she acceded to the application for a stay pending appeal. It was a matter for the respondents if they wished to bring an applicant to appeal, she said.
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Butler brothers secure stay on order restricting them from acting as company directors
Two brothers behind a number of high profile Irish franchises – including several Starbucks cafes, TGI Fridays, Mao and Hard Rock Cafe – have secured a stay on a court order restricting them from acting as directors. In a judgment published last month, Ms Justice Nessa Cahill found Colum and Ciaran Butler failed to prove they acted responsibly in the operation of one of their companies, Downtul Ltd, which leased a premises at St Stephen's Green, Dublin, that operated as a Starbucks. Downtul was placed in voluntary liquidation in November 2022. The judge granted a declaration sought by Downtul liquidator Patrick O'Connell restricting the brothers from acting as company directors or secretaries for five years unless the company meets certain requirements set out in the Companies Act 2014. Such an order means that, for the Butler brothers to act as directors of a company during that five-year period, that company must have share capital of at least €100,000 paid up by shareholders – or €500,000 in the case of a public limited company. READ MORE The judge had found that the brothers did discharge the burden of showing they acted honestly in the operation of Downtul. Lawyers for the Butlers on Tuesday successfully applied for a stay on the order, after submitting that their clients would require time to get their affairs in order. Brian McGuckian told the court his instructions were to seek a stay on the order for six months for two reasons. He said he was firstly seeking the stay to allow the Butlers time to organise their affairs, noting that Ciaran is the director of 134 companies, while Colum is the director of over 170 companies. Mr McGuckian said there was a general practice of the court affording directors time to organise their affairs in the context of an order of this kind. He said he was also seeking a stay pending a possible appeal being brought against the High Court decision. Padraic Lyons SC, for the receiver, said there was an obvious distinction between the granting of a stay pending an appeal, and a stay to allow the directors to get their affairs in order. His side had received no correspondence on a potential appeal, and there were no draft grounds of appeal before the court. It was a matter for the directors to put before the court arguable grounds for appeal, he said. Mr Lyons agreed there should be a stay granted to allow the directors to organise their affairs but submitted that six months was an excessive amount of time. Ms Justice Nessa Cahill said she would grant a stay of four months to allow the Butlers to organise their affairs. She said she was not granting the stay pending a possible appeal, but noted the granted stay will be the same terms had she acceded to the application for a stay pending appeal. It was a matter for the respondents if they wished to bring an applicant to appeal, she said.
BreakingNews.ie
26-06-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Brothers who control Starbucks franchise in Ireland banned as company directors
Two brothers behind various Irish franchises, including several Starbucks cafes, TGI Fridays, Mao and Hard Rock Café, have been banned from acting as company directors of any company for five years. A High Court judge imposed the restriction after finding Colm and Ciaran Butler failed to prove they acted responsibly in their operation of one of their companies, Downtul Ltd, which leased a premises on Dublin's St Stephen's Green that operated as a Starbucks. Advertisement In a judgment published on Wednesday, Ms Justice Nessa Cahill noted the brothers are directors of more than 130 companies each. 'It is plain from this fact – and from the vigour with which this application was opposed – that the declarations of restriction sought in the particular circumstances of this case would have significant implications for them, beyond the symbolic or reputational,' she said. Her orders followed an application from the liquidator of Downtul, Patrick O'Connell. Downtul was placed into voluntary liquidation in November 2022. Mr O'Connell later raised concerns that the brothers did not act honestly and responsibly 'with regard to their duties, responsibilities and actions' as directors of Downtul. Advertisement Arising from this, Mr O'Connell sought an order for the brothers to be restricted from acting as company directors or secretaries for five years unless the company meets certain requirements set out in the Companies Act 2014. The Butlers opposed Mr O'Connell's application. A hearing of the case lasted five days, with both sides calling expert witnesses. Acceding to the liquidator's request, Ms Justice Cahill said she was not satisfied the brothers acted responsibly in relation to Downtul's affairs, but they showed they acted honestly. Advertisement Ms Justice Cahill said her findings arose primarily from the brothers' operation of Downtul, and a related company they controlled: Atercin Liffey Unlimited Company. Downtul's function was to lease a premises at Stephen Court, St Stephen's Green, and it did not trade or carry on a business. It entered into a lease agreement for the premise in December 2013, its sole transaction. World Starbucks lays off 1,100 corporate employees as co... Read More Atercin operated a Starbucks cafe out of the Stephen's Green premises. The judge noted that Atercin operated from the premises rent-free for two and a half years and obtained Government supports to deal with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. In effect, Downtul bore the liability and cost of the lease, while Atercin occupied the leased premises and earned revenue from its trade there. Advertisement The judge said Downtul received no contribution from Atercin towards rent due on the Stephen Court premises, 'and, consequently, was unable to pay its debts as they fell due'. 'In allowing the company to enter and maintain these arrangements, and in failing to ensure an enforceable mechanism by which the company could obtain the funds necessary to discharge its liabilities as they fell due or otherwise protect its position, the respondents [the Butlers] failed to demonstrate responsible conduct with regard to the interests of the company,' the judge said.
Irish Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Squaredish Pizza review: A new deep-dish spot lands on St Stephen's Green
Squaredish Pizza Address : 25 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, D02 XF99 Telephone : N/A Cuisine : Detroit Italian Website : Cost : €€ What's on offer? Opened on May 1st, Squaredish Pizza is a new Detroit-style deep-dish outfit from husband-and-wife team Andrew Eakin and Naomi Murtagh – both with backgrounds in hospitality and design. They've brought in chef Jimmy Dobson, whose 15-year career includes Chapter One , Dinner by Heston, Potager, Clanbrassil House, As One, and two stints at Pichet – most recently as sous chef. Dobson spent the past year developing the menu and dough, which is cold-proved for 48–72 hours using Caputo yeast and Andrew's Premium Spring flour from the North. Pizzas are cooked in ventless Altoshaam vector ovens – programmable, extraction-free and capable of hitting 260 degrees. The menu includes pizza slices, fried chicken made with Rings Farm free-range birds, and house-prepped sides. The core line is fixed, with seasonal changes every three to four months. It's a dine-in restaurant as much as a takeaway – pizzas are prepped in plain view, with the menu displayed above the counter. READ MORE What did we order? Seven pizza slices: pepperoni, red top, hot square, sausage and pepper, mushroom, veggie squared, and it's corn; plus Korean fried chicken. [ The Rusty Mackerel, Donegal review: Sarah Jessica Parker's go-to is where you want to be after a bracing cliff walk Opens in new window ] How was the service? Service is pleasant. You order at a touchscreen and wait for your name to be called. Was the food nice? The pizza slices have a focaccia-style base and are all topped with marinara – there are no white pizza options. This is where my issue lies. The marinara, used across all slices, isn't cooked out (a good thing), yet has a concentrated, tomato purée-like intensity that tends to overpower the other ingredients. The sausage and pepper slice – with Italian fennel sausage, jalapeños and pickled pepper drops – was a favourite, as was the veg square with artichoke and a generous smear of black olive tapenade. Pepperoni at Squaredish Pizza Red Top with Cheese at Squaredish Pizza Garlic Bread at Squaredish Pizza The mushroom slice with salsa and rocket held its own. and the pepperoni was as expected. The hot square – 'nduja with chilli honey – is on nearly every menu in Dublin, so no surprise here. The creamed corn was similar to the OG in Reggie's , but again the intense tomato sauce threw the balance. The red top (a Margherita) had the same issue with the sauce. The fried chicken – free-range thigh, buttermilk brined – had a crisp coating and stayed juicy inside. [ The Dirty Souls Letterkenny takeaway review: Low-and-slow tastes of the deep south in the northwest Opens in new window ] What about the packaging? Everything is compostable or recyclable. What did it cost? €57 for lunch for three people. Pizza slices: pepperoni, €6.50; red top, €5.50; hot square, €7; sausage and pepper, €7; mushroom, €6.50; veggie squared, €6.50; and it's corn €6.50. Korean fried chicken, €11.50. Where does it deliver? Takeaway only, open daily, noon-9pm. Would I order it again? Yes, if I was in the area, but the focaccia slice at Bread 41 and Doom slice with its crisp cheesy crusts have the edge.
