Will anyone bid me €800 for the head of St Vitalis?

The auctioning of a marinated head of a saint reputed to have a cure for genital diseases may sound like a storyline from 'Fr Ted', but it is, in fact, happening in Duleek on Sunday next, when the head of St Vitalis of Assisi will be auctioned by Damien Matthews. The auctioneer is hosting a sale at Annesbrook House, which includes the preserved skull of the 14th century martyr, which has an estimate of €800-€1,200. Mr Matthews, who operates out of the former Mullen's Auction Rooms in Oldcastle, explained that the head, intact in a case, comes from the contents of a country house - or rather, outhouse - in Louth. It was possibly acquired by a member of the family on trips abroad, but when he married, his wife insisted the souvenir of the trip be put out of the house, and it remained in a shed ever since. Saint Vitalis of Assisi, who died on 31st May 1370, is said to have been an Italian hermit and monk. Born in Bastia Umbra, Vitalis as a youth was licentious and immoral. However, he attempted to expiate his sins by going on pilgrimage to various sanctuaries in Italy and Europe. When he returned to Umbria, he became a Benedictine monk at Subiaco and later lived as a hermit. He spent the rest of his life in the hermitage of Santa Maria di Viole, near Assisi, in utter poverty. His one possession was an old container that he used to drink water from a nearby spring. His reputation for holiness soon spread after his death. He was known as a patron against sicknesses and diseases affecting the genitals. Among the other lots for sale will be a very fine five door Regency bookcase, a 1969 TR6 sports car in original condition, a Georgian serving table, a untouched Mack, William and Gibton day bed and a large antique Persian rug, among other items. Damien Matthews says it is the most interesting auction he has held to date, as he kept back some of the really interesting smaller older things from the past year, from some of the older country houses in the Meath/Westmeath and Louth region, all now gathered at Annesbrook for the auction on Sunday at 3pm. Although the front of the house has the impressive Georgian rooms and portico, this hides a much older house behind. It is estimated there has been a house on the site since the 15th century. The Prince Regent, later to become George IV, paid a visit to Annesbrook in 1816 on his way to his mistress in Slane Castle. The Georgian part of the house was added in his honour, including the ballroom designed by architect Francis Johnston, who also designed the GPO on O'Connell Street in Dublin. Lore has it that when the Prince Regent called to Annesbrook, he was the worst for wear with drink and stayed outside on the lawn for just a short time before continuing on his journey. Indeed it was said he was drunk for his entire trip to Ireland. Viewing times are from Friday 27th May from 11am-6pm, Saturday 28th May from 11am-6pm, and Sunday 29th May 11am-3pm.