Historic table returns to Dun Laoghaire

A
PERIOD piece of furniture has been returned to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County
Council thanks to the diligence of a local politician.

Cllr
Victor Boyhan (Ind) came across the oak table, which is a copy of one designed
by world renowned architect Pugin, in an article where it was listed for
auction.

He
said that when he learned that the table formerly belonged to Dun Laoghaire
Town Hall he became interested in the piece.

“The
table was listed in an auction catalogue of other fine art and furniture, which
included a bookcase belonging to former Taoiseach Charles Haughey,

? Cllr Boyhan explained.

“I
immediately researched the origin and design of the table, and was determined
that the council acquire it for Dun Laoghaire.

“In
the end it was agreed to purchase the table for e6,000. I was thrilled to have
rediscovered this magnificent Pugin table.

?

Augustus
Welby Northmore Pugin, who died at the young age of 40 in 1852, was an English
architect and designer who is most well known for his work in the Gothic
Revival style, particularly in churches and the parliament buildings at
Westminster.

The
master architect also spent several months in Ireland in 1838 and designed a
number of notable buildings here including the chapel at Loreto Abbey in
Rathfarnham, St Mary’s Cathedral in Killarney and Adare Manor, in Adare, Co
Limerick.

Cllr
Boyhan said that one of the reasons he wanted to acquire the table was that
there was already a second matching one at County Hall in Dun Laoghaire.

“Pugin’s
table is now back, reunited with its matching table in the Great Hall of the
Old Town Hall, where it belongs,

? he added.

A
spokeswoman for the council said they were delighted to have restored this
historic table to County Hall.

“We
know little about the circumstances under which the table was originally
removed from the building,

? she said.

“However, we are informed that the table
has been with the previous owners for the past 60 to 70 years.

?

As
well as possessing tasteful period furniture, the council headquarters on
Marine Road in Dun Laoghaire also boasts a collection of fine art that many
galleries in the country would be envious of.

The
council’s art collection, much of which is on display in the hall outside the
council chamber on the second floor at Marine Road, spans a period of about 100
years from the mid 19th to the mid 20th century. It comprises works created by
Irish-based artists, many of them enjoying a connection with the locality.

The
collection includes pieces by both emerging and established local artists, as
well as a large number of works by historically significant and nationally
renowned figures such as French artist Pierre Bonnard whose works are highly
sought after on the international art market.

Bonnard
was well known for his intense use of colour and complex compositions. The
collection also includes paintings by such famous Irish painters as Malahide
native Nathaniel Hone, Mainie Jellet and Mary Swanzy.

A spokesperson for the
council pointed out that the majority of its artworks hanging in the hall at
Marine Road were donated by the Friends of the National Collections of Ireland.