Fairs on the double

“THERE has never been a better time to buy antiques and there is no better place than Limerick,” according to Robin O’Donnell of Hibernian Antique Fine Art Fairs.

He’s the organiser of tomorrow’s Limerick Antique Fair. He said a frightening number of antique shops and galleries all over the country have closed during the last few years because many dealers can no longer afford the overheads and they are now selling at fairs. Apparently, they love coming to Limerick because outside Dublin, there’s no better place in Ireland for antiques.

Over 60 dealers will attend the event at the South Court Hotel from 11am-6pm. Entry costs €3.50, which includes a ticket for a raffle with a prize of an antique worth €250.

Stands will sell furniture, jewellery, silver, china, porcelain, Irish contemporary art, coins, banknotes and clocks.

Limerick residents are spoiled for choice tomorrow. By coincidence, a separate antiques fair takes place at Limerick University’s Concert Hall from 11am-4pm.

Dealers’ offerings include paintings, sculpture, jewellery, porcelain, furniture, art deco and 20th century design classics.

The €10 entry fee includes the chance to have three items assessed, vetted and most importantly valued by members of the Irish Antique Dealers Association.

Its president, George Stacpoole said: “Every day our members are being asked to appraise people’s antiques – mostly because people want to sell but just as importantly people want to know the true value of their items.”