Historical items from 19th Century Kildare going to auction next month

Four historic items with links to Kildare are set to go to auction in the Gresham Hotel on Tuesday December 13.

The sale includes over 800 lots that date back through centuries of Irish and European history, with many of the items described as being perfect Christmas presents for children, though they are likely to set any potential buyers back a fair bit.

Here is a description of the items provided by the auctioneers.

Rare Sale Catalogue for Kilkee Castle

A 54pp illustrated Sales Brochure, with history of the Castle by Rev. Fr. Peadar Mac Suibhne, for the disposal of the property in 1965, by John H. Traynor and signed by the principal of the firm W.E. Byrne, with 34 full page illustrations of The Castle, the grounds, the Castle including some rare photos of areas & rooms not seen by the general public. In fine condition.

€280 - 350

Letters of a Future Kildare Bisho

A file of 15 Letters written to or by the Rev. Patrick Foley of the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, both before and after his ordination, mostly undated but some of 1880 and 1881. Patrick Foley was born in 1857 at Mensal Lodge, Old Leighlin, Co. Carlow. Educated at St Patrick’s College, Carlow, he was ordained in 1881 and appointed a professor at the college. He became vice-president in 1886 and president in 1892. In 1895, while still only 38, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, and in the following year became full bishop of the diocese. His long episcopate of nearly thirty years saw many changes in Ireland and he played a significant part in educational developments during the period. He died in 1926.The correspondents include his brother the Rev. John Foley, then curate of Balyna and who succeeded him as president of Carlow.

College in 1896, remaining in office until his death in 1937; the Rev. James B. Kavanagh, a former president of the college but now parish priest of Kildare (he was killed in 1886 when a statue fell on him while he was saying Mass); John Robinson of Ballyonan, Co. Kildare; and fellow students D. Cullen and John Delany of Maynooth and John C. Corbet of the Irish College in Rome. Topics include news of other students, exam results, ordinations etc.; two letters to John Robinson mention Land League activities; John Foley writes of the problems of attending invalids without a horse in his “scattered parish”. In one particularly interesting letter, D. Cullen extols student life in Maynooth, to which he had progressed from Carlow College: “I would not go back to Carlow, were I to get a free place, a fire in my room, and nothing to do.

€300 - 400

Human Side of The Director Bodkin (Thomas) [1887-1961]

A delightful illustrated ALS addressed from Wilton Tce., Dublin to his young niece Norah Robinson, at Newberry Hall, Carbury. It is full of tall tales and attractive hand coloured drawings, including a pig wearing a green hat, a fisherman catching an enormous fish, flowers, butterflies etc. 2 pp (single sheet), fold mark, clean, with associated envelope with a drawing of two clowns, postally used, postmark dated 28 Feb 1919. A most attractive item; every child should have such an Uncle. Rare. (1) A qualified lawyer, Bodkin at this time was Secretary to the Commissioner for Charitable Donations; later he was Director of the National Gallery of Ireland. He was a friend of Jack Yeats.

€500 - 700

€220 - 320