Following the recent purchase and current refurbishment of the Virginia Park Lodge by internationally known chef Richard Corrigan, Matthews auctioneers has been instructed 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 auction will take place at Virginia Park Lodge, Co Cavan, on Monday December 29 from 1.30pm.
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 by the family in several sources 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 horticulturist 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, 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. This is an auction worth viewing.
The lots will be on public view on Saturday December 27 from 11am to 5pm; Sunday December 28 from 11am to 5pm; and on Monday December 29 from 10am to 1.30pm. The auction will commence at 1.30pm sharp in the courtyard buildings of the Virginia Park Lodge.
For further information contact Matthews auctioneers, The Square, Oldcastle, Co Meath, phone 049 8550055/086 8414421, email [email protected] .
