Clock damaged by hot air in Leinster House to be sold

A valuable grandfather clock that plays God Save The Queen has been removed from the main hall in Leinster House after suffering damage from hot air and is to be sold at auction on Tuesday.

The 18th-century clock, described as "highly important" and of great historical significance, was loaned to the Houses of the Oireachtas in 2007 by Mayo businessman Frank Kerins.

However, the clock, then valued at €500,000, subsequently suffered damage because hot air from the heating system in Leinster House caused the glue to melt. The clock was taken away for repairs and never returned.

There was speculation the State might purchase the clock but that deal never materialised.

Mr Kerins has now decided to sell the clock and it will go under the hammer at Fonsie Mealy Auctioneers sale in the Killasheee Hotel in Naas, Co Kildare on Tuesday with a top estimate of €90,000.

Speaker’s clock

The long-case clock, which stands over 3m tall, is informally known as the “speaker’s clock”. It was, reputedly, part of the furnishings in the old Houses of Parliament in College Green, Dublin.

It most recently came to public attention in 2006 when it turned up in the auction of contents at Luggala, the Co Wicklow estate owned by Garech Browne. It was withdrawn from the auction despite attracting a bid of €420,000 and was later sold for an undisclosed sum.

As well as keeping time, the clock is fitted with a wind-up mechanical device that plays the British national anthem. It is understood that this function was not deployed during the clock’s short-lived stint as a timekeeper for TDs and Senators.