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13 Dec 2025

Fascinating sale of contents of 18th Century home in Baltinglass 

Fortgranie

Reporter:

Senan Hogan

11 Apr 2019 1:38 PM

An auction of the contents of Fortgranite House in Baltinglass is taking place next week.
Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers has been instructed by The Executor of the late MP Dennis to conduct the sale.
The almost 900 lots include heirlooms belonging to the Dennis family which have been acquired through the centuries.
Some items were acquired from family members travelling to exotic lands.
The 341-acre Fortgranite estate outside Baltinglass has been home to the Dennis family for over 200 years while the house at its heart was built by another ancestor in the 1730s.
Located in the southern foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, the property has been home to a number of remarkable characters.
The Dennis family should arguably be called Swift but changed their name in order to inherit another property in Cork in the 1780s.
In the male line, the family descends from the Swifts of Herefordshire and is closely connected to two literary giants, the poet John Dryden and Jonathan Swift, the celebrated Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and author of Gulliver’s Travels.
Highlights of the sale include a large Victorian period painted wooden Rocking Horse with a guide price of €500 to €700.
A fine quality 19th Century painted mahogany four poster Bed is available for €600 to €800.
Also included is a collection of uniform Jackets to include WWI Mess and formal Jacket, both black velvet with decoration gold bullion design; together with his WWII domestic green Jacket for the 8th Infantry and foreign service Jacket with award ribbons stitched.
Other Lots include:
  • A large and impressive Victorian period stained pine breakfront Bookcase. Estimate: €800 to €1,200.
  • A 19th Century carved ivory Corpus Christie, estimate €250 to €350.
  • Taxidermy: A wall mounted Head and Antlers of an Ibex, by Rowland Ward. €400 to €500.
  • Taxidermy: A Victorian period mounted snarling Tiger's Head, by Van Ingen. €800 to €1,200.
 
Viewing will take place on the premises in Fortgranite on this Sunday from 11am - 6pm and this Monday from 10am - 6pm.
The Auction will take place in Mount Wolseley Hotel, Tullow on Tuesday, April 16 10.30am.

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