Antiques shops abound in heart of Limerick

GIVEN the collective wealth of Limerick and its surrounding district (not least the industries gathered in Shannon), the city understandably has an impressive range of antique shops gathered around its centre. As in other cities, there has been quite a lot of changes in recent years many of the businesses formerly gathered on Ellen Street have gone, some to other locations in Limerick.

Some of the best premises are situated outside Limerick city, so visitors should bring a car and take a day to cover the whole area.

Start in the city beside historic Thomond Bridge, where John Gunning Antiques (2 Castle Street, Limerick, tel. 061-410535) is located opposite King John's Castle. Twenty two years in business, Mr Gunning stocks a wide range of antiques and "strictly no reproductions."

Items include period furniture, old musical instruments and Staffordshire figurines, the last of these starting from £100. At the moment, his stock includes an early 19th century ship's barometer, complete with its gimbals, for £650 and a selection of fully restored late 19th century Limerick wall clocks, at an average price of £300 each.

Moving around the corner, you 11 find Ann Sullivan (19 Nicholas Street, tel. 061-419815), who used to be on Ellen Street but moved to her present location six years ago. Ms Sullivan has no particular speciality, but she carries plenty of attractive small pieces, such as a blue and gold Royal Doulton mid 19th century jug and basin (£350), a set of six ivory caviar spoons (£15 for the set) and a man's set of dress buttons in mother of pearl and gold buttons (£175)

Bygones (16 Nicholas Street, tel. 061-417339)15 situated just a few doors away. Bygones is noted for its pine and architectural salvage the shop also holds lots of pub memorabilia, as well as old farm implements and machinery. Some of, the pine furniture is, entirely original, while other pieces are reconstructed using old wood.

The shop has a very elaborately carved 19th century pine fireplace with its over mantel, probably Scottish and standing almost 16 feet high, for £15,000 and an early 19th century stripped pine glass fronted country bureau for £2,200.

Moving towards Limerick's main shopping thoroughfare, Ellen Street still holds two excellent antiques shops, the first one encountered being Noonan Antiques (16 Ellen Street, tel. 061-4138,61). Although, there is some furniture, the main business here is jewellery, such as a handsome Victorian 15 carat gold necklace with seed pearls and amethysts (£650), a late 19th century enamel brooch, which carries a copy of one of Raphael's madonnas (£200) and fob watches averaging £50.

Close by and also focusing primarily on jewellery is Portobello Antiques (Ellen Street, tel. 061-577 796). Currently on offer here is an emerald and diamond ring for £1,425, a Victorian silver fob watch on its chain, and in working order, for £95 and a 19th century cameo brooch in a nine carat gold setting for £175.

Slightly off the beaten track but close to Limerick's mid 18th century St John's Square, you'll find Treaty Fireplaces (Unit 4, John Street, tel. 061-413000), which is run by Joe Kemmy, brother of local TD Jim Keminy. As its name implies, Treaty Fireplaces deals exclusively in fire surrounds, both old and re production. The enormous selection of cast iron fireplaces cost between £50 and £1,500, depending on size and condition Joe Kemmy sometimes also carries old tiles.

Move on then to Noel O'Toole Antiques (Upper William Street, 061-414490), a cavernous ware a house spread over three floors, which sells mainly within the trade but welcomes private buyers, too. The size of his premises allows Mr O'Toole to carry an enormous range of furniture, including some very large pieces. Among the ranks of desks and dining tables in stock at present is a very fine late 18th century mahogany breakfront bookcase for £14,500. The same price secures a glass fronted mahogany cylinder bureau bookcase, while a William IV carved wood and gilt pier mirror costs £3,750.

Back down towards O'Connell Street, you'll come across Tess's Antiques (5 Roches Street, tel. 061-416643, which concentrates on silver small pieces such as spoons and tea services Victorian jewellery and porcelain. Among the last category the shop carries a 50 piece blue and white rococo pattern Royal Doulton dinner service, priced at £450.

Next door is Pauric Healy Antiques (4 Roches Street, tel. 061-418377). This shop used to be on O'Connell Street before moving around the corner, three years ago. Mr Healy specialises in old diamond engagement rings, such as a 1.5 carat solitaire for £2,950 and an emerald and diamond ring for £2,700. He also stocks some Irish silver and, French gilt furniture, including just at the moment a mid 19th century clock set pi iced at £980.

Several blocks away you'll arrive at O Doherty Antiques (23 Mallow Street, tel. 061-302492), a small business now three years old and currently carrying an assortment of furniture and ornaments, such as a pair of Edwardian armchairs priced at £250. On a tiny in fill a couple of doors away is Treasure Chest Antiques (Upper Mallow Street, tel. 061-383184), which is filled with china, books, paintings and, clocks. Here a 21 piece hand painted tea service by Royal Grafton costs £150 and a solid silver three piece turn of the century tea service is priced at £625.

By crossing O'Connell Street, you can get to the premises of John Dunphy (83/84 Henry Street, tel. 061-316732), who has been conducting auctions there for many years but intends to move these to a new location at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, next month. After that, Mr Dunphy's Limerick site will concentrate exclusively on the retail business, selling such pieces as a George III mahogany card table (£1,650), a French mahogany turn of the century secretaire with marble top (£4,500) and an 18th century English bracket clock (£5,000).

Finally, located at the other end of the same street is Limerick's oldest such business Sexton's (6 Henry Street, tel. 061-315529), established by the grandfather of present owner Lionel Sexton over 100 years ago. Closed for a period, Sexton's has now re opened for business, both as an auctioneering house and antiques retailer.

At present, the shop contains a variety of furniture and ornamental items, such as a late 19th century birr walnut bureau with three drawers for £950, a mahogany hat and glove stand (£400), a late 18th century, mahogany inlaid washstand with splayed feet (£550) and a Victorian silver plate entree dish set (£75).