Book of Kells replica sells in Mealy auction

Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers conducted an exciting auction specialising in GAA memorabilia, on Wednesday morning. The sale which was held in The Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel realised almost €245,000, with 82 per cent of the 800 lots sold.

The auction consisted of a collection of rare and historic GAA and sporting memorabilia, as well as other interesting collectors and literary items. The libraries of the late John Bradley (Historian and Archaeologist) and Officer Peter James Rankin, Order of the British Empire (OBE) were included in this specialist auction. John Bradley was said to be an “Inspirational university teacher and foremost archaeologist of Irish towns”. Peter Rankin has been described as a “prominent Belfast solicitor, a connoisseur of antiques, art, music and architecture”.

The highest selling lot on the day was Kerry footballer, Joe Barrett’s GAA Medal Collection. This collection included a number of medals such as All Ireland Winners Medals, Munster Senior Title Medals and many more. Deemed a truly unique collection of medals directly linked to an icon and stalwart of the GAA, this collection of a lifetime sold at the hammer price of €40,000.

Hurling medals, 21 in total, belonging to Tipperary and Dublin midfielder Philip Shanahan, were sold. Remembered as one of hurling’s finest midfielders, the collection which consisted of a number of medals documenting his successful career sold for €19,000.

George Fonsie Mealy Jnr, Director of Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers said: “We were very pleased with the overall sale and felt that the items up for auction carried a lot of history and nostalgia. The libraries of John Bradley and Peter Rankin included some fascinating items as well as many of the other lots”.

The Book of Kells, published by Facsimile - Verlag, Luzern, is the most precious illuminated manuscript of the early middle ages, now reproduced. The auctioned copy was the first and only complete Fine Art Facsimile Edition, published by Authority of the Board of Trinity College, Dublin. The opportunity to acquire a complete facsimile of one of the world’s greatest art treasures was appreciated with the item selling for €5,000.

Another item that generated interest was the Dr Croke Cup Competition 1910 Medal. A nine ct gold, GAA, Hurling Medal which was won by Cork. This scarce item sold for €2,400 and proceeds from the sale of this will be donated for the establishment of The Richard “Dick” Hearns memorial Boxing Club in Ballina, Co Mayo.

A Seamus Heaney handwritten manuscript - 'Celtic Art: An Introduction' went under the hammer. This unusual lot also included part of a typed critique of another book, two postcards from Seamus Heaney to Kieran Sheedy as well as a Proof Copy of Patrick Piggott’s book, The Life and Music of John Field, 1782 - 1837 - sold for €2000.