Cork gallery could buy Bantry House contents as auction is called off

Next month's sale of pictures and furniture at Bantry House in west Cork has been called off – officially because Scottish fine art auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull couldn't get a licence to operate here in time for the scheduled sale on October 21st.

However, it is understood that strenuous efforts are being made behind the scenes to find a solution that could involve the Crawford Gallery in Cork buying the contents with State funding and immediately “lending” them back to Bantry House.

“In recent weeks, we have been approached by State and council bodies interested in helping to secure the future of the estate. Of course, we will do our utmost to explore new avenues and we will do what is best for Bantry House,” the owners said.

The Shellswell White family, descendants of the earls of Bantry, for whom the house was built in the 18th century, were planning to sell the contents in order to raise funds for the long-term maintenance of Bantry House – a leading tourist attraction in the southwest.

Preventing a ‘travesty’

The former president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Angela Brady, who has a holiday home in west Cork, said it would be a "travesty" if the house were stripped of its contents, which include several pieces once owned by King Louis-Philippe of France.

She said there was now an opportunity to “rethink the sell-off and drum up support to keep all the contents together in the setting they grace”.

This could only be done for great Irish houses such as Bantry with State funding, public awareness and support, she added.

It is understood that Dublin-born Ms Brady was involved in talks with the Heritage Council, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and other bodies in recent weeks, since the proposed sale was highlighted by The Irish Times.

A spokeswoman for Minister for Heritage Heather Humphreys said the department, the Heritage Council, the Crawford Gallery and other public bodies were offering "advice and assistance" to the Shellswell White family "in working towards a sustainable future for Bantry House".

The department, she added, “recognises the significance and historic value of Bantry House as an important heritage asset.”

However, the statement did not pledge State funding for its maintenance.