The ashes of the late Lady Clementine Beit were returned from England for interment yesterday beside those of her husband, Sir Alfred, at St Mary's graveyard in Blessington, Co Wicklow.
Lady Beit (90) who lived between Russborough House, Co Wicklow and London, died last August, 11 years after Sir Alfred. Her funeral was held in London.
The Beits were among Ireland's greatest art benefactors. They set up the Beit Foundation in 1976 for the purpose of transferring their entire art collection to the State, as well as Russborough - their 18th century Palladian mansion.
The art collection, worth millions, includes works by Vermeer, Goya and Metsu, among others. The Beit collection was the target of several robberies, the first involving heiress Brigid Rose Dugdale in 1974. The criminal Martin Cahill, known as "The General" also raided Russborough, stealing 15 paintings. The house was broken into on two other occasions and in 2004 the remaining art collection was placed in storage.
The Irish Times has learned that the Beit Foundation is now considering the return of some of the paintings to Russborough House. The mansion closes to the public every winter and it is currently being refurbished.
It is understood that, if the refurbishment and upgrading of security measures goes according to plan, then some paintings may be returned in time for the summer season.
