Purcell Auctioneers, Green Street, Birr, Co.Offaly

8th August 2009. Starts at 11am.

740 lots. Furniture, art and collectables. An eclectic mix with something for everybody.

Viewing
Tuesday & Wednesday 10am-6pm
Thursday & Friday 10am – 8pm
and from 9am on morning of sale.

Catalogue online at:www.purcellauctioneers.com

Auctioneer, Rody Keighery, explained to me that due to the serious decline in house sales there has been a reduction in the quantity and quality of items coming into the saleroom. That said, there was still plenty of interest and I had to resist the urge to bid on a pinball machine, missed a nice collection of Meccano but came away with three ‘heavy’ cast iron railway signs – a snip at €92.00!

Refreshments (Tea/coffee/sandwiches and cakes) were available and doing a brisk trade. The salerooms are well heated and I would recommend the venue to all comers. And if there’s nothing in the sale that takes your fancy there’s always Keighery’s own, well stocked, antiques shop which adjoins the salerooms.

As I mentioned I arrived early having left home at 6am and after viewing the sale went looking for breakfast. One of the Keighery’s staff suggested that I try ‘The Park Lodge Cafe’ at the entrance to the nearby People’s Park . I have to say that it was like an oasis in the depressed city that Waterford has become – a veritable beacon of hospitality. The former Park Ranger’s house has been transformed into a cosy, welcoming place purveying all sorts of homemade dishes.
I opted for the Irish breakfast – and before long
I was sitting down to a fine, grease free, fry-up (2 very tasty sausages, two rashers, two eggs and a good helping of mushrooms, toast, marmalade and a large cup of coffee – €8.90) all served up on designer style crockery. The tables spaced a nice distance apart added to this very pleasant, and unexpected culinary experience. If you attend any of Keighery’s sales or happen to be in the area call in here – you won’t be disappointed!