Brian Coyle and James O'Halloran of the James Adam salerooms and Douglas Bennett of Douglas Bennett & Associates are among the lecturers on an advanced evening course in Irish art, silver and furniture, which starts later this month. The series is organised by the Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Association, which is also responsible for a fine-art appreciation course beginning about the same time. While the advanced course examines the history of Irish art and design from the mid18th century over nine two-hour evening lectures, the appreciation course gives a broader introduction to the subject across 10 evening lectures. The latter course ends in a "roadshow", in which participants may bring pieces for valuation by experts in the field.

Both series will be held in the IAVI headquarters on Merrion Square in Dublin, and they cost £150 for the advanced course and £125 for the introductory course. Further information is available from Vivienne McSherry at the IAVI, 38 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, tel. 01-6611794.