Daniel O’Connell family items in Usher auction this week

Usher's Auction Rooms have a unique collection for upcoming auction, including many items of historical interest along the O’Connell-Sugrue family lines.

Included are two personal letters written by Daniel O’Connell to Charles Sugrue, an epitaph for Bishop Charles Sugrue, which look to be in the handwriting of O’Connell; an attended copy of the Affidavit of James Marmaduke Sugrue regarding the estate of Daniel O'Connell, Co Kerry, 14th January 1918; many family indentures, wills, letters, maps, and wax seals from the 1700s onwards.

There is a large collection of Sugrue family Irish silver including items with the family crest. Of particular interest is a silver plate sauce boat with a crested inscription of the 'Kerry Militia CVII'.

The Sugrue family were from Kerry and Cork. They were bishops, landowners, merchants, directors of railways, members of Glen Distillery, and army members.

Joan O’Connell, an aunt of Daniel O’Connell, married Charles Sugrue in 1744.

The four-page handwritten letter for auction was written by Daniel O'Connell to Charles Sugrue, and signed, dated 20th May 1829, sent from O’Connell’s address on Bury Street.

It is a personal letter written to “My dear Charles” detailing political machinations at the time, signing off “Ever my dear Charles, Your most affectionate kinsman, Daniel O’Connell”.

Also going under the hammer is a lovely collection of rare and antiquarian Irish interest books, a John Deere 4100 Compact Tractor, Sitrex Grass Mower, trailer and transport box from a local estate - perfect for a large garden, football club or golf club.

There are more than 1,000 lots including Waterford glassware and chandeliers, gold coins, jewellery, hats and fascinators, Irish artwork including Skelton, Teeling, McCaig, a large framed collection of fishing flies, Georgian and Victorian furniture, a James Hicks Dublin bookcase, a good selection of cast iron garden furniture, along with many more interesting antique and collectible items.

All items can be viewed in The Auction Rooms on John Street in Kells, today Thursday 26 September (till 5pm); tomorrow Friday 27 September 10am-5pm; Saturday 28 September noon-5pm; Sunday 29 September 2-6pm; Monday 30 September 10am-4pm

The auction is a timed sale and will end from 6pm on Monday September 30.

Bids can be placed in advance of this. All lots can also be viewed online at usherauctions.ie.