Adam Clayton sculpture in New Park auction

It is just over one hundred years ago that the Phelan family bought New Park House on the edge of the Curragh Couty Kildare. Now that, Arthur 90, and Detta 87, have sold the residence, it is time to say goodbye to the contents, which will go under the hammer onTuesday 18th  February in Kilcullen.
Filled with art antiques and rare books, the contents of the house are bound to attract as much interest as the house itself which sold for €3.2 million in October last.
A book of note on offer is a first edition Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens, which should attract interest given the current revival in all things Dickensian.
 
The house is filled with artefacts including six large mirrors, numerous persian rugs, and antique books such as family bibles. Arthur Phelan is something of an art collector and notable in the auction are The Fisherman’s Return oil on Canvas by Samuel Edmonston, A Stable Interior by JF Herring and Still Life by Andreas Gyulya Bubernik.

A sculpture of U2 bassist Adam Clayton by Joseph Sloan is estimated to fetch a minimum of €1,000.
 

The 18th century house New Park has survived a lively history, as it was burnt down in the rising of 1798. The troops of Lord Edward Fitzgerald were nearby and came looking for supplies, in the following fracas the house was torched, but luckily only one wing was badly damaged. Thankfully New Park House was completely rebuilt by the insurance money given at the time by the then government. Luckily for the Phelan family as they bought New Park in 1919.
 
Living on the edge of The Curragh it is hardly surprising that there is an equine provenance to New Park House. Arthur Phelan would be known as ‘the dentist’ to most in the area but was also known as the man who bought Arctic Melody.
As Arthur was growing up local trainer Paddy Prendergast bent his ear in trying to persuade him to buy a horse. Eventually Arthur’s arm was twisted by Sean Keegan in Newbridge. They bought a horse in Wexford; and that was Arctic Melody who went on to win at Naas, The Currragh and York before retiring to stud.
 
Viewing in New Park House on Sat, Sun and Mon 15th to 17th 12pm to 6pm each day and from 9am morning of sale. 
Auction of contents by Sean Eacrett auctioneers: on 18th February @ 12pm in Fallons Restaurant, Kilcullen, County Kildare.
Bidding online at:
https://www.seaneacrettantiques.ie