Contents of former Dublin Seminary to be auctioned to make room for refugees

The contents of a former seminary in Dublin are to go for auction as part of the process of making the property available to house hundreds of Ukrainian refugees.

More than 600 lots from Clonliffe College Seminary in Drumcondra will be put up for sale on May 10th, with viewing on site from the previous Saturday through to Monday.

Niall Mullen Antiques is hosting the sale, which features antique, ecclesiastical, mid-century and modern items, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Dublin.

Following the sale, the former seminary will be prepared by Dublin's Catholic Archdiocese as a facility to shelter an estimated 620 refugees fleeing the war in their home country, Ukraine.

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Mr Mullen said the contents of the college are a “window into a significant part of Irish culture in the 19th and 20th century”, adding it is “amazing” to see the variety of styles accumulated.

“It is an honour to facilitate the movement of these interesting elements of Irish history out into the wider world, especially given that their sale heralds a new chapter of this building’s life as we open our arms to those fleeing conflict,” he said.

According to the auctioneer, the 611 lots range from Edwardian and Victorian antiques, all the way through to modern art and functional furniture.

Among the ecclesiastical elements being sold at the auction are a 19th century oak pulpit, an oak confessional box which has a high estimate of €5,000, a wide collection of pews, including antique pitch pine specimens, as well as over 70 pieces of art dating back 300 years.

There will also be the opportunity to bid on several instruments, including a Steinway and Sons ebonised grand piano estimated to be worth between €2,000 and €4,000.

Other instruments for sale are a pipe organ, a walnut cased Mason and Hamlin American organ and a vintage Baldwin organ which is framed in mahogany.

In terms of furniture, a continental carved oak bench, at an upper estimate of €1,200, will be at auction.

There will also be a Victorian rosewood prie dieu chair with tapestry upholstered back, a Hicks of Dublin specimen cabinet with a glass display top which includes the original receipt and a 17th Century Italian side cabinet with gilded embellishment guiding at €1,500 to €3,000.

From the library of the college comes antique pine library steps, an Edwardian oak revolving bookcase, a full height library stepladder, haberdashery style shelving, and a lot comprising two vintage pine bookcases, a trolley, shelving and a lamp.

There are other more practical items included in the sale, such as catering equipment and desks, chairs and storage in a variety of styles from antique to modern.

The sale will take place live online and in-person at Clonliffe College, Clonliffe Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, from 3pm on May 10, as well as live on easyliveauctions.com and victormeeauctions.ie.