Will bidders come knocking for iconic revolving door?

One of the most iconic entrances in Irish social and sporting life – the revolving door at the former Berkeley Court Hotel – is to be sold at a unique auction later today.

The complete front entrance of the meeting point for a legion of Irish rugby fans over the decades is the star attraction at Caffrey’s Hotel in Oldcastle this Wednesday, where over 2,000 items of Irish interest will be sold.

The nine feet high revolving doors were installed in the early 1970s and, along with the uniformed doorpeople, became a part of the Dublin four matchday experience at nearby Lansdowne Road.

The doors are being sold by Niall Mullen, who recently held the biggest auction in the history of the State – the 14-hour disposal of the contents of the former Central Bank in Dame Street.

“We have the complete front of the Berkeley Court Hotel – the revolving door comes with eight other doors attached, between the frontage and internal lobbies,” said Niall.

"This is a no reserve auction and some hotel or bar is going to get themselves a unique piece of Irish social and sporting history and a focal point for generations in the future.

"We are also selling the four Waterford Crystal-style chandeliers which immediately greeted visitors to the iconic hotel as well as some carpets from ballroom."

One of the most unusual lots in the auction, hosted by Victor Mee Auctions, will be the sale of the original seating from the Stella Cinema in Rathmines.

"The art deco styling of these seats is impossible to source and replicate, and will bring back a wealth of memories to both Dubliners and visitors from the country who based themselves in Rathmines over the years,” said Niall.

The seats are available in single units upwards, but Niall is counselling that these are the valuable modernist frames that are for sale, and purchasers will need to refurbish the upholstery.

The auction will also feature the remaining lots that emerged too late from the former Central bank premises in Dame Street to be included in the original sale.

“In total, it took 22 articulated vehicles to remove the contents from Dame Street, and many of the contents for sale on Wednesday were discovered in an underground floor called U2 that no-one had told us about,” said Niall.

The auction also features the iconic 1970s oak panelling from the Bank of Ireland in Baggot Street as well as items from La Stampa Restaurant, Stillorgan Park Hotel and a rare collection of 45 original antique fire grates.

The auction starts at 10am on Wednesday September 20. Full details from victormeeauctions.ie.