From Connemara to Chicago – and back again

The World’s Fair held in Chicago in 1933 attracted 48 million visitors between May and November. The event, titled “A Century of Progress,” featured, among numerous attractions, an exhibition organised by the Irish Free State of “fine linen, laces, cloth, rugs, and paintings by Irish artists”.

One of the paintings from that famous display, an oil-on-canvas titled Carraroe, Connemara will go under the hammer during Dolan's two-day auction of art and antiques in Clifden, Co Galway on Bank Holiday Monday (August 4th) and Tuesday (August 5th) at 12.30pm daily. The painting is by Co Armagh- born artist Charles Lamb who settled in Carraroe and died in 1964. The estimate is €7,500-€8,500.

Viewing for the auction, in a marquee on the Old Quay in Clifden, is underway and continues throughout the weekend.

An unusual lot, with appeal to both railway enthusiasts and collectors of first World War memorabilia, is an album of photographs showing the daily progress, from September 1st-14th, 1914, of the construction of a 54 ton trolley wagon for a large rail gun at the Gateshead Works in England. The estimate is €1,000-€1,500. The catalogue, with almost 500 lots, can also be viewed online at dolansart.com.