Following the recent purchase and refurbishment of The Virginia Park Lodge, Co Cavan by internationally known chef Richard Corrigan, Matthews Auctioneers have been honoured with the instruction to sell the unrequired residual contents by public auction. Included in this exciting sale will be lots originally from Clonhugh House, Lough Owel, Co Westmeath, home of Lord Greville MP for Westmeath (1865-1874 ) to be sold on behalf of Mr and Mrs Harvey-Kelly. Property of other valued clients will also be included in this auction.
The Virginia Park Lodge, originally built in the late 18th century as a hunting lodge for the first Earl of Bective (Thomas Taylor, Lord Headfort ), is one of Ireland’s most attractively sited properties. The lodge, first appearing in the 1836 Ordinance Survey map of Ireland, was originally informal in layout but lavishly decorated with the finest silver, chinaware, and furniture. Although one of Ireland’s most titled and richest men with his imposing main residence Headfort House not 20 miles away, The Virginia Park Lodge is mentioned in several sources by the family as a place of great fondness. It allowed them an opportunity to live a more relaxed family-orientated life than at their official residence. Later in the 19th century the property was added to by the second earl. It is in this form that we know the building today. The second Earl, a keen horticulturalist and arborist (an interest shared by the illustrious new owner Richard Corrigan ), imported many exotic shrubs and trees from China, Japan, and other distant lands to create the parkland that surrounds the lodge today.
Over the past 30 years the property has remained very much a sleeping gem. It is only now, due to the great efforts of its new owner Richard Corrigan, that it awakens from slumber, its hidden beauty revealed. Lots being offered for auction will date from the mid 18th century up to the late 20th century and estimates will range from €20 to €10,000. Most definitely an auction worth viewing.
On public view:
Saturday December 27 from 11am - 5pm
Sunday December 28 from 11am - 5pm
Monday December 29 from 10am - 1.30pm
Auction commences at 1.30pm on Monday December 29 in the courtyard buildings of The Virginia Park Lodge.
For more information call Matthews Auctioneers on (049 ) 8550055/ (086 ) 8414421 or email [email protected].
