A carefully curated collection of 100 lots of decorative arts and paintings from an Irish Palladian-style country house in Co Meath will feature in Christie’s Collections London online sale from April 1st-15th.
The items for sale are from Ardbraccan House outside Navan, one of Ireland’s most significant Palladian mansions. The house was built for the Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath in the 18th century by Richard Castle (also known as Richard Cassels), the architect behind Russborough House in Co Wicklow and Leinster House in Dublin. After lying vacant for several years towards the end of the 20th century, the house was painstakingly restored by previous owners, using special conservation methods, winning the An Taisce Best Restoration of a Private Building award in 2002.
American businessman and racehorse owner Charles Noell purchased the estate in 2013. Since then, he and his partner, interior designer Serena Williams-Ellis, have put their individual stamp on the property.
“I wanted all things in our collection to have the charm factor – something of beauty or to make you smile,” says Williams-Ellis. She first began her career working for Christie’s, before running an antique shop in London and later an international antiques and interior design business in Cumbria, England.
Interior designer, Serena Williams-Ellis put her stamp on the property.
During their ownership of the historic home, Ardbraccan became a stud farm.
“Things of an equine nature were very influential, along with items that were intrinsically Irish or quirky. I like a house to smile and Ardbraccan certainly does that – from the moment you step across the threshold you feel relaxed,” she says.
The house and extended lands in the estate were put on the market in 2025 for €10.15 million, and recently sold.
Irish George II mahogany side table from the mid-18th century (£40,000-£60,000) from Ardbraccan House
The items for sale at Christie’s include an Irish George II mahogany side table from the mid-18th century (£40,000-£60,000), and a portrait of Sophia Southwell, née Campbell, later Lady de Clifford (1743-1828), by Sir Joshua Reynolds (£30,000-£50,000).
Also included is sporting-themed art, such as horse paintings by English artist John E Ferneley snr (1781-1860), and a group of portraits of hounds by John Emms (1841-1912), with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000.
The Christie’s collection also includes Italian and French furniture, Flemish tapestries and sculpture from a Sicilian palazzo, and works of art from other prestigious European properties.
Horse painting by English artist John E Ferneley Senior (1781-1860) from Ardbraccan House, for sale at Christie’s 
A portrait of a hound by English artist John Emms (1841-1912), from Ardbraccan House, with an estimate of £20,000-£30,000 at Christie’s
On a more local level, the monthly online auction at Mullens Laurel Park, Bray, Co Wicklow (which closes on March 29th), continues to offer lots of reasonably priced furniture and paintings for bargain hunters kitting out homes, cafes, restaurants, bars, and even quirky retail outlets.
A good variety of chests of drawers, wardrobes (recently seen repurposed as an entrance to a changing room in a London charity shop) and dining chairs are included in the auction. As are sets of Waterford glasses (now back in fashion, we’re told), china tea sets (also popular again), and many small paintings, which could create atmosphere in a domestic or commercial setting.
The Barnes of London baby grand piano in walnut case (€300-€500) for sale at Mullen’s Laurel Park, Bray
The Barnes of London baby grand piano in its walnut case (€300-€500) may need to be tuned, as will the Kawai black lacquered case upright piano (€500-€700). Both are worth checking out by families keen for their children to learn to play a musical instrument.
In Galway, Dolan’s Art Auction House also prides itself on including reasonably priced paintings, prints and photographs by contemporary artists in its sales. Its spring online auction ends on Monday, March 30th.
Early Easter Light on Inishmaan by Cecil Maguire.
Featuring works by Mark O’Neill, Mat Grogan, Norman Teeling and many others, the highlight is an oil on board painting, Early Easter Light, Inishmaan, by Cecil Maguire (1930-2020), with an estimate of €4,500-€5,500. The Lurgan-born painter and art teacher was best known for his figure and landscape paintings. His work is held in collections at the UN headquarters in New York and the Ulster Museum in Belfast.
There is also a good selection of autographed photographs of Hollywood film stars, a collection of original movie posters, and black and white photographs of Irish musicians by Irish photographer Colm Henry.
Christies.com; mullenslaurelpark.com; dolansart.com
What did it sell for?
Sir John Lavery’s After Breakfast, Tangier, sold for £203,200 (€234,235) After Breakfast, Tangier, Sir John Lavery
Estimate: £180,000-£250,000/€207,800-€288,000
Hammer price: £203,200 (€234,235)
Auction house: Christie’s
British cast iron red telephone box dating from 1935 (sold for €2,650), designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott Red telephone box
Estimate: €2,000-€4,000
Hammer price: €2,650
Auction house: Victor Mee
Geoff and Rosy Wilson of Wilson’s Yard in front of a clock tower believed to have originated in Spitalfields Market in London (sold for €15,000) Clock tower
Estimate: €10,000-€20,000
Hammer price: €15,000
Auction house: Victor Mee
An Irish Georgian bronze bell (estimated at €6,000-€12,000) was not sold Irish Georgian bronze bell
Estimate; €6,000-€12,000
Hammer price: Not sold
Auction house: Victor Mee