Pub Memorabilia and Collectables sale

Cavan-based auction house Victor Mee Auctions is set to present ‘The Normal People Pub Memorabilia and Collectables Sale’. The three-day sale will see an entire catalogue of collectable, rare and unique pub memorabilia, furnishings and breweriana from Killoran’s Traditional Pub and Restaurant take to the auction block. It will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 28 to March 2.

Steeped in provenance and located in the heart of Co Sligo, the bar and restaurant was opened by Tom and Annie Killoran in 1958 and has been a renowned staple in the quaint town of Tubbercurry for the past 60 plus years.

Often dubbed the “museum with a restaurant” due to the many iconic pieces of memorabilia that adorn the interior of the establishment, Killoran’s attracted visitors from across Ireland and abroad, enticed not only by the friendliness of the local proprietors, but by the enchanting atmosphere, delectable antique collection and more recently due to its claim to fame as a familiar filming location in the famed TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s, ‘Normal People’.

A pub steeped in GAA history

A particular star lot of interest, lot 883 is sure to garner much interest amongst sports and GAA fans. It is a pair of football boots originally owned and worn by the late Mayo GAA midfielder Eamonn Mongey. These particular boots proved extremely lucky for Mongey as he wore them the last time County Mayo took home the Sam Maguire cup in the 1951 All-Ireland Final.

Proprietor, Annie Killoran bought the boots in 1989 at a charity auction in Kitty O’Shea’s pub in Dublin prior to the Mayo-Cork All-Ireland final and they have hung nobly for reverence in Killoran’s ever since. They will go to auction at the end of the month with a certificate of authenticity hand-written by Eamonn Mongey himself who visited the pub in 1995. The certificate reads: ‘I was honoured to see my football boots hanging in such a prominent position among all your other exhibits.’ Victor Mee Auctions expects the boots to sell from €1500-€2500.

Keeping with the GAA theme, lot 463 is a bar top advertising figure made by Players Tobacco to advertise their products in the 20th century. Hugely popular with collectors thanks to their limited availability and the novelty-like nature of the design, this particular figure is quite rare as it features both a GAA player and a hurley player from Mayo and Galway respectively. It is estimated to sell at auction between €600 and €1200.

Killoran’s was fit for Hollywood ‘stars’

Having being brought to the forefront of international conversation in more recent times, Killoran’s multiple appearances as Connell and Marianne’s local ‘drinking hole’ of choice garnered huge attention worldwide and marked the charming pub as an international tourist destination, visited regularly by avid fans of the show. Though many of the lots appearing in this sale can be found inconspicuously in the show by those with an eagle eye, lots 1129, 1130, 1131 and 1132, large paintings of traditional Irish musicians and a picturesque Irish country scene respectively, hang rather prominently as the backdrop for a pub scene in episode 10 of the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated series.

Aside from its Hollywood fame, Killoran’s was more traditionally known for the abundance of Irish history and culture portrayed through the vast array of antiques, collectibles advertising, mementos and photographs that could be seen covering the ceiling and walls.

Pub Memorabilia & Advertising

An abundance of pub memorabilia and advertising, each piece with its own interesting story, is an extremely common feature among traditional and much-loved pubs throughout Ireland and Killoran’s was no exception. Passers-by and locals alike were enthralled by the vast collection of wondrously rare and unique advertising mirrors, signs and memorabilia that had the ability to quickly transport the onlooker to years gone by. Several lots in particular are sure to have mass appeal to publican collectors across the world.

Lot 602 is an extremely rare early 20th Century Ogdens mahogany Cigarette Dispensing cabinet. These cabinets are hugely sought after by collectors and make only infrequent appearances on the auction block, garnering huge interest and often igniting bidding wars. This one appears with an estimate of €3,500-€6,500.

Another very rare and highly collectable piece of vintage advertising appearing in the sale is lot 140, an original light-up Carrolls’ No 1 Tipped /Afton Cigarettes double-sided advertising sign. Now a piece of smokers’ nostalgia as P.J. Carroll & Co have long ago ceased production of Sweet Afton cigarettes, this sign will go to auction with an estimate of €200-€300.

An extremely rare early 20th Century Paddy Pure Pot Still 10 Years Old Irish Whiskey mirror will make up Lot 376. Exceptional in its stature measuring 158cm in height by 170cm in width, it is also exceptional in its estimate, with auctioneer Victor Mee pricing this piece at €5,000-€10,000. This whiskey Mirror is the first of only ten made by Plate Glass & J.M. Co Limited Dublin and is a truly remarkable piece of advertising.

Speaking in advance of the sale, auctioneer Victor Mee, said: “Killoran’s Pub has been an integral hub in the community of Tubbercurry for a very long time and we’re honoured to host a sale of such high calibre and history.

“We foresee a huge interest in this one, particularly with the connection to ‘Normal People’ as well as the inclusion of such exquisite and high quality pieces of pub advertising and memorabilia. We are also confident that Eamonn Mongey’s 1951 football boots will bring in a lot of interest from collectors worldwide as these boots really do represent a momentous piece of Irish sporting history and a special place in the hearts of many.”

Viewings for this sale will take place on site at the Cloverhill Auction Rooms on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, February 25-27, from 10am – 6pm.

Please visit victormeeauctions.ie to browse auction listings and register online to bid in the upcoming sale.