KELLSGRANGE Rouse in Kells, Co Kilkenny, is the setting for the first of this year's country house auctions next Tuesday. Almost 600 lots will be sold by George Mealy & Sons, starting at 10.30 a.m., with many items carrying what look to be very modest estimates.

A great deal of brown furniture, for example, is expected to sell for around £500-£600 a piece, although given the growing interest in these events, the likelihood is that better prices than this will abound during the course of the day.

Likely to stir particular interest are a number of French pieces, such as a kingwood and gilt metal mounted secretaire a abattant of serpentine form (estimate £1,700-£1,900) and a kingwood and ormolu mounted lady's writing desk on cabriole legs (£2,000-£3,000).

There are also several French clocks, not least of which is a gilt metal mantel example, with Sevres porcelain panels (£2,000-£3,000) and another gilt metal mantel clock with the much lower estimate of £300-£400.

Unusual items include a kidney shaped brass bound wine cooler (£1,800-£2,500), but for buyers who want good solid work, one of the best lots must be the set of 10 William IV bar back mahogany dining chairs (£1,200-£1,600). These would look well with a William IV period mahogany telescopic dining table (also £1,200-£1,600).

Other lots which should draw attention are a Georgian mahogany longcase clock, signed Gordon & Fletcher of Dublin (£1,700-£1,900), an Edwardian mahogany library bookcase (£1,800-£2,500), an early Victorian pedestal sideboard (£600-£700) and an Edwardian harewood and satinwood display cabinet (£1,800-£2,500).