The entire interior of an iconic Dublin pub is going under the hammer in a huge bar memorabilia auction in Meath. As the changing face of modern Ireland continues it gives buyers a chance to keep a little bit of it’s history and memories of times past.
Regulars who have missed Kennedy’s of Mount Merrion since its closure last October, now have the chance to snap up ‘lots’ from their favourite watering hole.
Completely dismantled and reconstructed in Oldcastle, Co Meath, it goes up for online auction next Tuesday and Wednesday, (May 21st & 22nd) accounting for almost half of the 800 lots up for grabs.
Niall Mullen pictured with the entire contents of Kennedy’s bar of Mount Merrion, ahead of a bar memorabilia auction running online only next Tuesday and Wednesday at 5pm via Aidan Foley at easyliveauction.com. Picture: Michael Donnelly.
But if you only have eyes for the bar, you can give it a new home , along with the contents of the adjoining Union Café, for an estimated €100,000.
Separately, Arsenal fans will be jostling to get their hands on a Gunners jersey signed by Arsene Wenger’s unbeaten 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’.
From a private collection, it was bought directly from Highbury for a fan in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, in 2004 and has a guide price of €1,000 – €1,500.
Before its closure, Kennedy’s, previously Kiely’s, was a traditional suburban pub and a mainstay in Mount Merrion in
The bar and Union Café, owned by developer Paddy McKillen Junior’s Press Up hospitality group, were closed last year to make way for a proposed mixed-use development.
Now the entire bar, including high quality furniture, memorabilia and art, has been removed and rebuilt for public viewing ahead of the auction, facilitated by antiques dealer Niall Mullen and auctioneer Aidan Foley.
With a combined estimated value of €200,000, the 800 lots also include the original contents of Maureen’s Bar from the Olympia Theatre, formerly staffed by the legendary Maureen Grant.
A rare River Liffey octagonal shaped metal sign, estimated at €300-€600. The bar memorabilia auction runs online only on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5pm via Aidan Foley at easyliveauction.com. Pictures: Michael Donnelly.
A rare AA enamel finger unapproved road sign, estimated at €1,500-€2,500.
Very rare signed Arsenal Invincibles 2003/04 jersey, estimated at €1,000 – €1,500.
“This sale represents an interesting time in the life of pubs and Irish memorabilia in general,” said Mullen.
“Many of the items are attributed to family-run businesses where the new generation did not want to take up the mantle.
“The attraction for buyers here is that you cannot fake authenticity, and no matter where in the world these pieces end up, they come with a legacy.
“These lots, especially Kennedy’s and Maureen’s Bar, come with a story and a bit of life, and are ready to kit out the next generation of pub.”
Two lifetime collections of original road signs, enamel advertising signs and sports memorabilia will also feature, including rare unapproved road signs, a road marker for the River Liffey, and an unusual Paddy “Whisky” sign, predating the company’s switch to the Irish spelling of whiskey in the 1960s.
Public viewing of the lots, including the reconstructed Kennedy’s, is available in the Castle Cinema in Oldcastle from this Saturday to next Monday.
The auction runs online only on Tuesday and Wednesday at 5pm via Aidan Foley at easyliveauction.com.
