Bonhams Closes Dublin Art Auction Office
Here’s a summary of the key facts from the provided text:
Bonhams is closing its physical office in Dublin. The office, located on Molesworth Street as 2012, is being shut down.
Continued Irish Presence: Despite the closure, Bonhams will maintain a presence in Ireland through Kieran O’Boyle, who will work remotely and continue to serve clients.
Not Performance Related: The closure is not due to poor performance of the Irish operation, which has been growing since 2012.
Shift to Digital: The change is driven by a shift in how clients interact with Bonhams, with increased use of digital and online methods.
Focus on High-End Art: Bonhams in Ireland focused on the higher end of the art market, with notable sales like a John Lavery painting (“In Morocco”) in 2021 for £156,500 (€180,000).
Ancient Context: British auction houses (including Bonhams, sotheby’s, and Christie’s) played a role in driving up Irish art prices during the Celtic Tiger boom (2000-2008). dedicated Irish sales in London were discontinued after the 2008 financial crash.
* Leadership Changes: jane Beattie initially directed the Dublin office, later succeeded by Kieran O’Boyle, who was recruited from Adam’s. Christine Ryall recently retired from the business.
