Major antiques fair being held in Celbridge this weekend

The OPW will host its first Antiques Fair at Castletown House in Celbridge today and toorrow.

The event hosted by the Irish Antique Dealers Association takes place in the House’s stunningly renovated Stable Wing from 10am to 5pm.

A total of 20 antique dealers will take part in the fair with fine furniture, painting, silver, jewellery, books, prints and a number of interesting items with 1916 connections on view and on offer.

Courtville Antiques has a set of special buttons in the original box, embroidered by Countess Markievicz whilst she was in jail in Holloway Prison.

George Stacpoole of Adare has a collection of drawings done by members of the Gore Booth family of Lissadel of which the Countess was a member whilst The Silver Shop has a fine miniature of Sackville Casement who was the great uncle of Roger Casement.

Mary Heffernan of OPW said: “We are delighted to welcome the IADA and its members and would encourage people to come down to Castletown House this weekend.

"Entry to the fair is free and we would welcome people exploring the wonderful parklands and the House which is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country with a vibrant history.”

George Stacpoole said: “All of the IADA members are looking forward to this fair in April and we also have a roadshow at Castletown House in June.”

Castletown House is Irelands first, finest and largest 18th century Palladian style house and is nestled in 120 acres of beautifully restored parklands along the bands of the River Liffey only 20km from Dublin’s city centre.

In 2015 over 300,000 people visited the estate and enjoyed tours of the house and its collections and with talks, exhibitions and concerts all in place for 2016

See www.castletown.ie for more details.