Antiques in Ireland

Buying and collecting antiques can be a rewarding and interesting hobby. There and so many different fields available to the collector that there is bound to be one to suit every collector.

Here are a few tips to help the novice get started in the world of antiques in Ireland.

Firstly, find a domain that interests you. Perhaps you enjoy painting, or collecting boxes, or furniture, or jewellery. The list is virtually endless. Let your instinct lead you, it is the surest way to find a subject about which you can be passionate.

Next, find a dealer who will help you get your collection started. Later on, you will be able to "go it alone" if you choose, but to begin with, it is a good idea to find a dealer who will show you some of the potential pitfalls, show you different examples of styles and makers, and perhaps show you a direction that you would not otherwise have gone.

Finally, start small. Most collections are started with a small purchase, perhaps only 15 or 20 euro. Later on, as your collection develops, you may feel inclined to collect bigger and more expensive pieces, but you will always feel a special fondness for the first piece you ever buy!

In Ireland, reputable antique dealers are members of the Irish Antique Dealers Association. This is a trade organisation, founded in 1969, with three main objectives:

“To promote just and honourable practices in the Antique Trade and to suppress any malpractices”
“To promote settlement of disputes by reconciliation or arbitration”
“To sponsor or organise lectures for the diffusion or improvement of knowledge regarding Antiques”

So by dealing with a member of the Irish Antique Dealers Association, a member of the public can be certain that they are buying a genuine antique, one which is as described, and have the reassurance that in the event of a problem, there is a body to which they can bring their grievance.