AN IRISH AUCTION is set to include the medal collection of a rebel hero and programme from the famous match between the Irish Free State and Nazi Germany.

The auction at the Fonsie Mealy auction house in Kilkenny on 28 September features over 800 lots with a focus on Irish sporting and revolutionary history.

Other items of Irish cultural interests in the auction are a first edition of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments and a Thin Lizzy collection that includes a copy of the band’s first single, The Farmer.

GAA

Joe Barrett’s GAA Medal Collection Source: Fonsie Mealy

The All-Ireland, Munster, National League and Railway Cup medals of Kerry Footballer Joe Barrett will be on sale.

Barrett was a member of the Irish Volunteers since his teenage years and fought on the republican side of the civil war. After being arrested and interned he went on hunger strike. His medal collection is one of the highlights of the sale and is estimated to go for between €30,000-€40,000.

Philip Shanahan's medal collection. Source: Fonsie Mealy

Tipperary and Dublin midfielder Philip Shanahan won 21 medals during his career.

The medals include his three All-Irelands in a row with Tipperary and the collection is expected to fetch €20,000- €30,000.

Cuchulainn's Son's Hurley Source: Fonsie Mealy

One of hurlings greatest ever players Nickey Rackard, nicknamed Cuchuliann’s Son, is belived to have used this hurley during the 1955 All-Ireland final. It’s expected to sell for between €350-€500.

Football

Source: Fonsie Mealy

The match programme from the game between Ireland and Germany in 1936 is expect to sell for between €300-€400. The game at Dalymount Park in Dublin attracted about 28,000 people and the Irish Free State defeated Nazi Germany 5-2.

Revolutionary Ireland

Source: Fonsie Mealy

A case used by executed Irish republican Kevin Barry is also up for sale. It’s reputed that Barry used the case during dispatches around the city of Dublin.

Music and literature

Source: Fonsie Mealy

The auction’s Thin Lizzy collection has some of the band’s records, posters, programmes and other collectibles with an original copy of their first single perhaps the most sought after item. It’s valued at between €1000 – €1500.

Source: Fonsie Mealy

A copy of Ulysses illustrated and signed by Henri Matisse is also on sale and valued at up to €2000.