Far from the 'old curiosity shop' in Naas

TOUGHER BUSINESS Park sounds like it might be in the Bronx but is just outside Naas, Co Kildare. It seems an unlikely venue for antiques shopping and is a world away from the usual Dickensian “old curiosity shop”.

But for collectors who find auctions intimidating and like to browse items with the prices clearly marked – in well-lit premises with free parking – then Foleys is worth considering. To get there, take exit 10 from the M7 but use a satnav or check directions on foleys.ie. The business shares a vast 1,858sq m (20,000sq ft) premises with a contemporary furniture shop called Jondol.

Foleys doesn’t hold auctions but, instead, sells a range of antiques and rare books from the shop and online. Given the location near the Curragh, there is a strong equestrian theme with a large selection of hunting prints and paintings of racing scenes as well as antique furniture, china and collectibles.

Until recently, the business also operated a rare books outlet at Rathcoole but this has now closed and the stock transferred to Naas. An eclectic mix includes old Dublin theatre programmes; Flora of the North-East of Ireland, published in 1888 by the Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, priced €95; and, The Race Courses Atlas of Great Britain and Irelandpublished by Henry Faux, London, 1903 which is "illustrated with 60 coloured diagrams showing the gradients and geological character of every racecourse in Great Britain, and the principal courses in Ireland" priced at €1,400.