Should Irish History be for Sale?

[croppyboy]

Apparently a collection of Jack and William Yeats early works are going on auction this week, arising from a personal collection which has become available after the owner's death.

Last year there was an auction of 1916 memorabilia in Adams including letters, weapons, personal effects, standards, flags, clothing, prints, postcards much more. Ogra Shinn Fein disrupted the auction with a protest that "Irish History should not be for sale".

As someone who attended the auction but could not afford to buy anything I had mixed views.

I would hate to see these items being shipped overseas or taken out of the public domain altogether. I am not comfortable with these items being available to the highest bidder. However a seizure or even compulsory purchase by the state of these assets may be a bridge too far.

I would feel some these items legitimately belong with a family or individual who deserves it. Perhaps a family heirloom. Or a connection to the incident or indivdual.

We all aspire to greater things and to improve our economic status. This is a necessary and desirable aspect of the human condition. One of the faults of communism was an enforced equity which takes the drive out of society. For me part of that aspiration may be to collect some of these items at some stage. My own personal interest area being Wexford 1798 memorabilia. At least I could argue a genuine interest.

But should it be on public view if in a private collection? Should purchase be resticted to those who can somehow prove their credentials? Must the items remain within the state? Should the musuem have first refusal on all items? Or just throw it open to all comers as now?

[Inishowen]

'History for Sale' is an emotive slogan but its a bit daft when you think of it. History is made by people not by the objects coming under the hammer.

[johnfás]

They went on sale in Sotheby's last night. I'll get the prices they went for later on when I'm bothered logging into the prices.

The items went on sale not simply because they became available after his death, but because whoever his next of kin was, then the legal owner of the property, wanted to sell them - that's an important point.

Last year there was an auction of 1916 memorabilia in Adams including letters, weapons, personal effects, standards, flags, clothing, prints, postcards much more. Ogra Shinn Fein disrupted the auction with a protest that "Irish History should not be for sale".

There was also some 2 weeks ago at Whytes. Including a letter from Collins which fetched 260,000 euro onto which you can add VAT and Commission.


The State protects private property, it is protected by the Constitution and property is understood in the broadest sense - not just land. There are exceptions established by the State such as the extraction of minerals, which remain the property of the state and compulsory purchase orders when a road etc is being built.

I fully support the rights of private collectors to own pieces of memorabilia and indeed important art. Many collectors, in fact do give important artefacts and art on long term loan to public galleries across this state, many others upon their death or even during their life also donate important pieces to the State. I do not think that attacking the private collector is a positive way to bring more important pieces into the current domain. The State is one of the largest bidders at most important auctions, they invest vast sums of money in the aquisition of importat artefacts and art - I fully support that.

On the whole there are plenty of pieces to go around for both the enjoyment of the public in museums and galleries and for private collectors - many of whom, as I stated do loan their collections for public viewing. An attempt to force them would only meet with hostility. The most important pieces are however, almost always bought by the state owing to the fact that they have alot of cash behind them.

[AXL ROSE]

I think we should sell it. I think we might be at the top of the market what with the Good Friday Agreement and all the economic prosperity. Perhaps now is the time to realise some of our historical capital. Any know of anywhere with an undervalued history that we could invest in? Maybe Montenegro? East Timor looks a bit risky but might pay off in the long term.

I wonder who would buy ours?