AN indication of just how buoyant the Irish art market is becoming once again was given by the results of the two day auction at Mealy's last week. More than £500,000 was spent at the well attended sale in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, with an Irish landscape by James Arthur O'Connor going well past its estimate of £12,000-£16,000 to make £25,000.

Similarly, a large 19th century gilt and gesso wall mirror in the Chippendale style sold for £15,000 - much more than its estimate of £3,500-£5,000. A large bronze study of a young woman by Sir Jacob Epstein sold for £7,000 (estimate £4,000-£5,000), a late 19th century rose eased, iron framed Broadwood boudoir grand piano made £4,600 (£3,000-£4,000 and an impressionistic bronze study by Dame Elizabeth Frink fetched £3,750 (£2,500-£2,500).

Other good, prices included £3,600 for both, a large Victorian mahogany telescopic dining table and a pair of antique carved giltwood rococo style window pelmets, £3,500 for a Victorian harlequin piano fronted davenport; £3 200 for a life size preserved trophy of a standing lion, £2,900 for both a 19th century mahogany celestial globe - and a heavy brass and glass chandelier; and £2,700 for a Regency mahogany library table.