Vintage machinery collection hailed as a “unique time capsule from rural Ireland”
For 50 years, John ‘Sean’ Smith devoted his spare time to restoring vintage machinery and collecting discarded items he had uncovered at farms and auctions.
He was an avid collector with a massive haul of countryside memorabilia including classic tractors and ploughs, original village fuel pumps, and long-gone road signs.
His collection, which also includes household items like oil lamps, earthenware hot water bottles, and rare handmade whiskey jars has been described as an “exceptional snapshot of Irish history” by Niall Mullen of Niall Mullen Antiques.
Mr Smith's collection will be on auction at 12 noon on Tuesday August 30 at McSeasins Pub Cornafean, Co Cavan.
The collection will also be on display at John’s home in Ballinagh Road, Crossdoney, Co Cavan from August 27-29, and on the morning of the auction between 9-11am.
Prospective buyers can also view the lots online at niallmullenantiques.com prior to the sale.
Mr Mullen is the auctioneer and organiser of this sale.
He said: “This is a unique sale. These items will never be brought together again, it truly is a unique time capsule from rural Ireland.
“It is the small things that stand out, such as the wonderfully made Tilley lamps, the old-fashioned oil lamps that were used across Ireland to light homes before there was electricity.
“They create a wonderful glow and you can’t get them any more. It is a testament to how things were made back then.”
Following Mr Smith’s death last December, his family decided to sell his collection at this one day event.
Mr Mullen said: “They have kept a few things for sentimental reasons but the majority is to be sold in a one-day sale.
“He was very good with machinery as well and restored the Massey Ferguson and Colt tractors to working order himself.
“He rebuilt the tractors with vintage parts he collected from auctions and although he had a full-time job, fixing machinery was his passion and he was a genius at doing so.
“It’s an exceptionally diverse collection. There would be nothing like it privately held anywhere in Ireland.”