0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's the nation's favourite antiques experts...
0:00:04 > 0:00:06- This is beautiful. - That's the way to do this.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour for antiques.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Joy! Hello!
0:00:14 > 0:00:18The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction, but it's no mean feat.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?
0:00:28 > 0:00:29The handbrake's on!
0:00:29 > 0:00:31This is Antiques Road Trip.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Yeah.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Today, we begin a very special road trip,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44starting right here in the Republic of Ireland.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Oh, yes, this'll be a treat for our top auctioneers,
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Christina Trevanion and Thomas Plant.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51What a combo.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Your impressions of Ireland? You've been here before, I've been here before.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58You can go anywhere in the world, and you can go and visit countries
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and they're beautiful, but it's all about the welcome you get, isn't it?
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Yeah, absolutely.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06It's wonderful, and the people are so friendly, and so accommodating,
0:01:06 > 0:01:07and so sweet.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Hey, I love the Wedgwood blue wheels, guys.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Their quirky 1962 Bedford van was manufactured before it was
0:01:13 > 0:01:17compulsory to fit seatbelts, so it's legal to drive without them.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- Do you know what slightly worries me?- What?
0:01:20 > 0:01:21That's the engine!
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- It is the engine, isn't it? - And it's quite nice as a heater.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27It was originally built as a crew van for workers,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29and survivors of its type are rare.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31I did a bit of research about this last night.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34They are the most amazing utility vehicles.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38This was the basis of the ambulance. Ice cream vans.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40- Yep.- Amazing.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Our jewellery and silver buffs start their trip with £200 apiece,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48but as they begin in Ireland, they'll kick off with 285 euros.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51Get it?
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Starting in Cashel in County Tipperary,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57they'll get about Ireland, hop across to North Wales,
0:01:57 > 0:01:58whizz around England,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and then end up, over 700 miles later, in Stoke-on-Trent.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05This first leg will see them travel from Cashel
0:02:05 > 0:02:09towards the opening auction in Birr, County Offaly.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Third, darling, third.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- Hang on a minute!- Well done.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Those two are like an old married couple already.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Remember to look out the window once in a while, guys.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- There's a castle! - There's castles everywhere.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- There are kings and queens and clans and everything here.- Ooh.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33At the southern end of Ireland,
0:02:33 > 0:02:38County Tipperary is known as the subject of a world-famous song.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42It became popular with the British Army after young Irish soldiers
0:02:42 > 0:02:46began to sing it as they marched into battle at the start of World War I.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50# It's a long way to Tipperary... #
0:02:50 > 0:02:54However, it's not far to Thomas's first shop of the trip.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- See you later. Bye! - You look marvellous!
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Owner Ruth Barry's in charge here.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Looks like she does more than antiques, too.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05Bit of lotus, maybe.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08- You're Ruth?- Yes, I am. - I saw your name on the door.- Yes.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09And it's sort of Giver of Hope.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13I'm a yoga teacher and when you do your teacher training,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17they bestow a name on you, and that was Asha, Giver of Hope.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22- Well, I hope you're going to give me hope today.- I hope so, I hope!
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Make yourself at home and if you need any help, just give me a shout.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- I will do, thank you. - All right, thank you.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29THUD! Oh, careful!
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Ruth only opens for alfresco shopping in good weather,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35so enjoy it while it lasts, Thomas!
0:03:35 > 0:03:37THOMAS LAUGHS
0:03:39 > 0:03:41I just totally...
0:03:42 > 0:03:46..love these tambour-fronted cabinets.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49What's even better is this here. Wait for it...
0:03:49 > 0:03:50RATTLING
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Ah! And it's all hidden away.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57This early 20th-century oak cabinet is 490 euros,
0:03:57 > 0:03:58way over Thomas's budget.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Looks like that's not his only problem now.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Whoops, has he broken it?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Ruth, erm, is there a key for this?
0:04:08 > 0:04:10I'm afraid not. What did you do?
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- I just pulled it down and it locked.- Well...
0:04:13 > 0:04:17you really should have asked for some help with that, Thomas.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Now you've broken it. - I don't think I've broken it.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Bit awkward, this.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25It has happened before, so Ruth knows how to fix it, thankfully.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Meanwhile, Christina has headed just half an hour north,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34still in Tipperary, to the small village of Templetuohy.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Her first shop is Larkins Antiques,
0:04:40 > 0:04:45a family-run affair that's been on the go for over 30 years.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Hello!- Hello.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- Hello, good morning.- How are you, Christina?- Very well, thank you.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Nice to meet you, I'm Christina. - And I'm Mary.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Lovely to meet you, Mary. My goodness, what a shop!
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- So tell me, Mary.- Yes? - I'm going in completely blind.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03I know nothing about the Irish auction market.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05So what are people buying?
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Lovely sets of China. China is in big-time in Ireland.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Are people buying furniture over here?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13Oh, they are, yeah. Antique furniture.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I'll go and have a wander and I'll see you in a bit.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Absolutely. Right.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Well, neither sell brilliantly in the UK at the moment.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Just goes to show that local knowledge is key.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Clever move, there, Christina.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28So China's selling well. That's interesting, isn't it?
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Tea sets, my goodness.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34That's rather fun, isn't it?
0:05:34 > 0:05:36This isn't early enough...
0:05:38 > 0:05:41..sadly, to be a George Jones piece. Quite interesting, though, isn't it?
0:05:41 > 0:05:46Certainly got a look and we're finding that, in the UK,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48majolica is selling incredibly well.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54George Jones began manufacturing this type of elaborately moulded ceramics
0:05:54 > 0:05:58in the late 1860s - however, this was made long after George Jones died
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and that's why it's called "majolica-style".
0:06:01 > 0:06:02What have you got on that, Mary?
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Well, I could give you that for...
0:06:07 > 0:06:08..40 euros.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- Well, it's certainly got a look to it.- Absolutely, yes.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14OK, so that could be a possibility,
0:06:14 > 0:06:15- cos I quite like that. - It's gorgeous.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20But Christina's only scratched the surface of Mary's wares.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Oh, that's quite fun. How much is on that?
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- Do we know?- Mike?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- My husband. This is Christina. - Hello. Nice to meet you.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- You're in charge of the furniture, are you?- Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32How much is on your chair that needs some TLC, Michael?
0:06:32 > 0:06:33Er, that's 100 euros.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- 100 euros. It does need a lot of TLC.- It does.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Indeed. At least the frame of this Victorian carved chair
0:06:40 > 0:06:43is still in pretty good condition.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Is there any flexibility on that price, Michael?
0:06:46 > 0:06:47Maybe a little bit.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Um, 85?
0:06:49 > 0:06:5185 euro, OK.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53I quite like that.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It's definitely a possibility. Thank you, Mike, you're a gentleman.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58I will give it some thought.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Back in Cashel, Thomas has been doing some al fresco browsing.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- Can I go inside? - Of course you may, yes.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09He's on to something, look.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11I love these, these are fab.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12They're gorgeous.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- So we've got the Burgundy, we've got Chartreuse.- Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- I have another one inside.- Do you? - Yeah, hang on.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19By the turn of the 18th century,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23decanters were popular in the homes of both the middle and upper classes.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26The labels indicating the liquid contents
0:07:26 > 0:07:28were originally called "bottle tickets".
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Look, "Kew-rac-oh". - Curacao, actually.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33In perfect condition.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34- So they're on copper with enamel. - Yeah.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37- And how much are these each? - Ten each.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Ten each.- They're a giveaway. - OK, we'll talk about that.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- Oh, right. - And then how much are these?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44This one is 12.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46And these two little ones are eight.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- I mean... - Two, three, four, five - 50 euro.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- 62.- OK.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- 78 euros.- You're good at the maths.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55How about we start at 40 euros and then we work somewhere...
0:07:55 > 0:07:56Oh, my God, no.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Where can we meet in the middle? - Thomas...really.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- You're not going to sell them to me at 40, I get that.- OK, 65.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Ah, that's far too much!
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- No.- Yes, it is.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07- These are beautiful. - They are beautiful.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- I love them.- You never see these. They're gorgeous.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Could say 60 and it's a deal? - Oh, OK, for you.- Yeah, you think so?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Yeah.- Let's do it.- All right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:1860 euros is for the eight
0:08:18 > 0:08:21silver-plated and enamelled decanter labels.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Before I go, you are a yoga teacher.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Are there any moves you can teach me to sort of bring me any Zen
0:08:29 > 0:08:30on my trip in Ireland?
0:08:30 > 0:08:34I think the best thing you can do is to practise your breathing.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38As you exhale, simply make a "ha" sound at the back of the throat.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42I think that grunting would kind of annoy Christina quite a lot.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46But it's quite funny, I'm going to do it.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47Lucky Christina!
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Speaking of which, back in Templetuohy,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53she's enlisted Mary's help once more.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54I thought these were quite fun.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Oh, you've lovely taste.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Aren't they beautiful?
0:08:59 > 0:09:03I mean, typically 1830, this body to me looks like a Coalport body.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06But that's really unusual decoration.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09I mean, this is what we call a spur handle,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11that typical spur handle of about 1830.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Is there any more of the tea set? - I have.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- It's so funny, I have.- Have you?
0:09:19 > 0:09:23And Mary's secret stash is in a drawer behind the counter, obviously.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25What else have you got in that drawer?
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- No, I can't show you what's in my drawers, Christina.- Oh, my goodness.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Crikey, there's loads of it, look!
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Are they not fabulous? - They are fabulous.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Are they not the nicest you've ever seen?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I love the fact that you've got the breakfast cups
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- and you've got the coffee cups. - I have.- I love that.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47The tea and coffee service isn't complete,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51but there's so much of it that you could make easily a full set of six,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53with spares.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59- I need 180.- Oh, God.- Which is nothing, because it's a beauty.
0:09:59 > 0:10:05Christina, you're never going to see another one. Never.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Can we do...
0:10:07 > 0:10:13200 for the tea service and the chair?
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- You have a deal.- I'm still quite tempted by the majolica.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Can we say 210 for all of it?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- 210.- For the tea service, the chair and the majolica.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- She's hitting me the whole time, you are a hard woman.- Go on. Will you?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- A smile.- Will you? Yeah, thank you, Mary!
0:10:30 > 0:10:34Christina has certainly gone big and bold on day one,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38parting with 210 euros for three items.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42She's now taking a break from the shopping, heading north,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47crossing into County Offaly to the Irish heritage town of Birr.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Its 17th-century castle was once home
0:10:50 > 0:10:54to a hotbed of world-famous scientific discovery.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04This magnificent contraption was once the world's largest telescope,
0:11:04 > 0:11:08known as the Leviathan of Parsonstown.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10It was the brainchild of William Parsons,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13the 3rd Earl of Rosse, and put Birr on the global map.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Christina is here to meet the castle's current resident,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18the 3rd Earl's great-great-grandson,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21Brendan Parsons, also known as Lord Rosse.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Welcome to you, Christina. - Thank you so much.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Welcome to the great telescope of Birr.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31This amazing feat of engineering and invention
0:11:31 > 0:11:34played a major role in astronomical discovery.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37What was he trying to do with his telescope?
0:11:37 > 0:11:41He wanted to see further into space than anyone had ever been able
0:11:41 > 0:11:45to see before and he wanted to build bigger.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46How does it work?
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- It works as a reflecting telescope. - Right.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- With a mirror in the big black box at the bottom.- Right.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56The eyepiece picked up the image received
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- in the huge, huge, six-foot mirror at the bottom.- At the bottom.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Armed with an idea and a degree in mathematics from Oxford,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09William Parsons and his team, made up largely of locals from Birr,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12spent three years inventing and building
0:12:12 > 0:12:15the telescope's component parts in the castle workshop.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17So, did he build the telescope...
0:12:17 > 0:12:19did he get someone in to design and build it for him?
0:12:19 > 0:12:22He had to think it all up himself and make it all himself.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24Every single thing.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28He had to start by setting up foundries in the boat,
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- fired by the fuel from the turf from the local bog.- Uh-huh.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36The biggest challenge was constructing
0:12:36 > 0:12:38the central piece of the telescope, its huge mirror.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43I would imagine that in the 1840s,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47creating a six-foot diameter mirror was not easy.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53It was impossible to create a mirror of anything like that size
0:12:53 > 0:12:56in glass, as one would expect today.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57The first mirrors cracked
0:12:57 > 0:13:01because the outside cooled before the inside.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02Can you imagine the disappointment?
0:13:02 > 0:13:04But there was far greater determination.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07And the determination paid off.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13In 1845, work was complete on the 54-foot, 16-ton telescope.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Its fame quickly spread around the world.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18What did they discover?
0:13:18 > 0:13:23His greatest discovery was what's now called the spiral nebula.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28It was groundbreaking at the time, and for the next few decades,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31hundreds of the world's greatest minds came to Birr
0:13:31 > 0:13:33to observe the great discovery.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Three years after unveiling his telescope,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38William Parsons became President of the Royal Society,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41a world-renowned scientific organisation.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44When he died in 1867, his telescope was still
0:13:44 > 0:13:49the largest in the world, and would remain so for a further 50 years.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Birr became a global centre for astronomical research,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55spurring on further generations of the family,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59most notably the 4th Earl, who focused his attention on the moon.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05What do we have here, Lord Rosse?
0:14:05 > 0:14:10This is a machine that was made by the 4th Earl
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- in 1867.- Did he inherit the telescope?
0:14:12 > 0:14:16So he inherited the telescope and a passion for astronomy,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20but focused it slightly more on measuring the heat of the moon
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- with this instrument. - Measuring the heat of the moon?
0:14:23 > 0:14:28Yes, he spent years and years trying to measure the heat of the moon,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31only to see his measurements dismissed at the time
0:14:31 > 0:14:35as the madness of a typically mad Irish Earl, he was thought to be,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37wasting all his time.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Amazingly, it wasn't until man finally stepped on the moon
0:14:41 > 0:14:43that the 4th Earl's calculations
0:14:43 > 0:14:47were tested and found to be more accurate than originally thought.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50So, this is a letter from Neil Armstrong?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53That is a letter to the my mother...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Yeah.- ..after his visit here,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00and sharing with her the temperature of the moon as he found it,
0:15:00 > 0:15:02as it related to the temperature of the moon as measured
0:15:02 > 0:15:06by my great-grandfather, the 4th Earl, with that instrument there.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- So, the 4th Earl...- It wasn't as mad as was dismissed at the time.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13In fact, it was accurate to within about 4%.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- So, almost 100 years later, he was proved right?- Yes.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Through the ingenuity of the Parsons family,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Birr Castle was a hub of discovery and innovation.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27Now, with its modern-day science centre, they hope to continue
0:15:27 > 0:15:30inspiring budding astronomers to follow in their footsteps.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I have to say, it's been absolutely fascinating
0:15:33 > 0:15:36learning about your astronomical family. Thank you so much.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Thank you, Christina, for your interest.
0:15:38 > 0:15:44Meanwhile, rival Thomas has joined Christina in Birr, County Offaly,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46but he's here to shop.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48- Hi, Tom, how are you?- Very well.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- What's your name?- Breda.- Breda? - Yes.- Nice to see you, Breda.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Indeed, nice place you've got here too.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Lovely office chair. Just a bit more than I've got to spend.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04There's loads to look at,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06so hopefully I shall be buying something.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09The question, of course, is - what?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Quite a cool cocktail shaker.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14You know, drinking is always a popular thing.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17And certainly cocktail shakers, it evokes that sort of vintage style.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It's silver-plated.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23And one puts your mixers in there.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27It's got a cork stopper, which means that none of the mix will fall out.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Rather lovely, really, with a handle,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33and it just looks rather good fun.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34Not a bad option, though.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37But I'm sure there's more temptation somewhere.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39This is an extraordinarily thing.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Being marked sterling means it could be American.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Cos that's how the Americans stamped their silver,
0:16:47 > 0:16:51with the sterling mark, rather than our British hallmarks.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54British and Irish hallmarks, one should say.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58I'm not going to spend 95 euros on something I don't know what it is.
0:16:58 > 0:16:59Perhaps Breda does.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- What is this?- It's a cake breaker.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05If you have a very fresh sponge, what the Victorians -
0:17:05 > 0:17:09and they had something for everything, as you know yourself -
0:17:09 > 0:17:11they'd push it down through it
0:17:11 > 0:17:14and it would stop the cake literally from breaking.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17And they'd slip the knife in and then you'd have a perforated slice.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Oh, yes! Cor, those Victorians certainly knew how to prevent
0:17:21 > 0:17:22their cakes from being squashed!
0:17:22 > 0:17:24What an interesting object.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27In the right sort of climate, really.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Baking is quite popular these days, isn't it?
0:17:30 > 0:17:31Another one to ponder.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Some soda siphons, they could...
0:17:35 > 0:17:38We could make a sort of cocktail lot.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42"Mineral Waters Distributors Ltd, Dublin."
0:17:42 > 0:17:45So an Irish soda siphon.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48There's a pewter one there.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Here we are.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53"A & R Thwaites & Co."
0:17:53 > 0:17:56There's no price on there. It's obviously free.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Hey, time to do some buying. You're needed, Breda.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- The cocktail shaker. - OK.- What can that be?
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- There's a price of 45 on it, isn't there?- Yes.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- OK.- I was thinking maybe 25.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Well, since you're such a nice gentleman,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- and you obviously need it... - Yeah, I do.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- OK.- 25 for that.- Yeah.- Great.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- So that's one thing out of the way. - OK.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25What about that rather unusual cake-breaking thingy?
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- What could you do that for? - Well, it's 95.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Yeah.- Mm.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33What about 45?
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Now, it is nice, and it is silver.- It is, yes.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- I would be very happy with 55.- 55. I think you've got yourself a deal.
0:18:42 > 0:18:43- OK, very good.- I like it very much.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45He's clocking up the purchases in here,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48and those soda siphons are still an option.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Pub is very much in vogue at the moment. A lot of people collect it.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55And they're going away from the contemporary look in pubs
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- and are actually doing them up in the old style.- Are they?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00How much can the three of them be? 30?
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- 35?- No, I didn't have that number in my head, no.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- 40, then?- Well, as I said, you are such a gentleman, yeah, OK,
0:19:09 > 0:19:1040 would suit me.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- Would that suit you?- Mm.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Deal. That's another deal. - You are very welcome.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Good work, Thomas, that's the Art Deco cocktail shaker,
0:19:19 > 0:19:21a sterling silver cake-breaker
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and three soda siphons for 120 euros.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Well, a successful sort of day, really.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32We've got...mainly drinking and eating items.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Tomorrow I've got to buy that sure-fire profit.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39And with that, it's time for our experts
0:19:39 > 0:19:41to head off to the land of Nod.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42Night-night.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Another glorious day in Ireland.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I keep on going...for...
0:19:51 > 0:19:52this gear stick here.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- It's here, darling.- I know, I know.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- The stick here is here. The stick is here, Thomas.- Well done.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01And third, go on, go on, you can do it, you can do it, go on.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- Go on! Third is easy. - Hurrah!- Third is easy.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09Fortunately, Thomas is better at dealing than driving.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Yesterday, he secured some decanter labels,
0:20:12 > 0:20:13a cocktail shaker,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15three soda siphons
0:20:15 > 0:20:18and a cake breaker for 180 euros,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21leaving him 105 euros.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Christina spent big, blowing three-quarters of her budget
0:20:25 > 0:20:27on a tea and coffee service,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31a Victorian chair and a majolica-style jardiniere.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34So, she has just 75 euros to spend today.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- How was your shopping?- It was good.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40However, I did feel that maybe I spent a little bit too much money.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41But Mary did give me some good tips
0:20:41 > 0:20:43about what was selling in Ireland and what wasn't.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- Well, what is selling well in Ireland?- According to Mary,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50anything that's not selling in the UK apparently sells well in Ireland.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- That's superb.- So I bought brown furniture and tea sets.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55THEY LAUGH
0:20:57 > 0:21:00But will Mary be proved right, come the auction?
0:21:00 > 0:21:04This morning, our duo are starting at Portlaoise.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- Where we were yesterday? - Where we were yesterday?
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- We were in County Tipperary, weren't we?- And where are we today?
0:21:10 > 0:21:12Portlaoise?
0:21:12 > 0:21:14# We're a long way from Tipperary
0:21:14 > 0:21:17# It's a long way to go. #
0:21:19 > 0:21:24And on that rather terrible note, Portlaoise, in County Laoise,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27is an attractive, rapidly-growing market town.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- Don't buy too well.- Enjoy. Don't break it.- I won't break it.
0:21:33 > 0:21:39Christina's next shop is run by David Kane and Robert Colin.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- Good morning, how are you? - Good morning, I'm very well.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44You're very welcome to the Store Yard.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- Thank you, what's your name? - I'm Robert.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Lovely to meet you, Robert. And you are?- David, how are you?
0:21:49 > 0:21:51- Pleased to meet you. - This is amazing.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- This is a sort of hidden world. - It's a treasure inside.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Oh, yes, it's big enough
0:21:56 > 0:22:00and rammed with architectural and decorative items.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03I know nothing really about the Irish market
0:22:03 > 0:22:07because we are selling in an auction in Birr.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Do you know about auction houses here?- I do.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- I do know the one in Birr. - Good, I like that.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- It's a strong family auction house for years.- Brilliant.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- Insider information, I like it. Brilliant.- Do lots of rural bygones.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Quirky things also, actually. - OK.- Good house.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25What about...fairly knackered old chairs?
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Do you think that will sell well there?- No.- Oh, really?
0:22:29 > 0:22:34Oh, Christina, perhaps you can spread the risk with some more items?
0:22:34 > 0:22:38I think it's the most beautiful antique shop I've never been into.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- Thanks very much.- I'm in love with it. It's wonderful.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45David and his team often provide pieces for sets of period dramas.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Ah, beautiful.- More there for you.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Like an alleyway of gorgeousness, isn't it? Look at those colours.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53They can kit out entire rooms for certain periods.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55This is beautiful!
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Even down to wall coverings,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01like this room of 18th-century American pine panelling.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- Is this room for sale?- Yes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Just stunning. I love it.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09How much would it cost me to buy this room?
0:23:09 > 0:23:11The price of a bungalow in Ireland at the moment.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Oh, really? I definitely haven't got that in my budget.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Ha! I bet you wish you had more than 75 euros left, eh, Christina?
0:23:18 > 0:23:21- That's quite nice.- That's a nice little thing, actually.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23It's priced very well, there is some damage.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25But it's nice Florian ware.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Florian ware was the company that Moorcroft started working for.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Correct.- Before he started his own factory.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34And you've got "WM des", so William Moorcroft designer.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Nice Florian ware stamp.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- 25 euros?- Yeah.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41I mean, yes, it's got some damage to it, but I still think
0:23:41 > 0:23:45for a Moorcroft collector, that's a really nice thing, isn't it?
0:23:45 > 0:23:46A good thing, yes, a very good thing.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50Well, that's a distinct possibility, David. I like this a lot.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- OK, shall we keep wandering?- Yeah.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53Sounds positive.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Let's leave Christina to explore her new favourite shop
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and join our other intrepid antiques hunter.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02He's taking a breather from shopping to find out
0:24:02 > 0:24:04about one of Ireland's great heroes -
0:24:04 > 0:24:06a world-renowned explorer
0:24:06 > 0:24:10and pioneer of the heroic age of Antarctic discovery.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Thomas is visiting Athy Heritage Centre
0:24:16 > 0:24:21just a few miles from the birthplace of Sir Ernest Shackleton.
0:24:21 > 0:24:26Thomas is here to meet head of the Shackleton Society, Seamus Taaffe.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32Seamus, we're here because you have a famous hero, a man of great note.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Yes, we're very lucky, we have one of the greatest explorers
0:24:34 > 0:24:37of all time. Ernest Shackleton was born in Kilkea.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39As the eldest son of 10 children,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Shackleton was expected to help support his family.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47But instead, at 16 he went off to sea and became a master mariner.
0:24:47 > 0:24:54He charmed his way onto Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition in 1901,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58gaining experience that led to his own endeavours
0:24:58 > 0:25:00into the then uncharted continent.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02We know Shackleton had lots of expeditions.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Which one is the one we all know?
0:25:05 > 0:25:07The greatest expedition is obviously
0:25:07 > 0:25:10his 1914 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Bear in mind, at this stage,
0:25:12 > 0:25:14the pole has been reached by Amundsen and Scott in 1913.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18So he comes with a plan - he's going to cross the Antarctic from sea to sea.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20The South Pole, the Antarctic?
0:25:20 > 0:25:21- Yes.- Cross it?- Yes.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24But from the very start, it all goes terribly wrong.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30The mission was to sail from South Georgia to the Weddell Sea.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Once they hit land, they would continue by foot and sledge
0:25:33 > 0:25:36until they reached the Ross Sea.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39It had never been done before, and when they got near,
0:25:39 > 0:25:40disaster struck.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44The 28-man crew got stuck in ice in the Weddell Sea.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Their ship, Endurance, eventually sank,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50forcing them to set up camp on the ice.
0:25:50 > 0:25:5320 months after setting out, the ice finally melted
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and starts pulling them in the wrong direction.
0:25:59 > 0:26:00How did they survive?
0:26:00 > 0:26:03They kept three lifeboats from the ship which they're pulling
0:26:03 > 0:26:06across the ice towards the direction they want to go,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09but the ice is still drifting, so eventually they get into open water.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12They decide to go for a place called Elephant Island,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16a desolate rock in the middle of nowhere in the South Atlantic.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18And they spend about seven days in the three boats
0:26:18 > 0:26:19until they get to Elephant Island.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- How do they do that - under sail or rowing?- A bit of both.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28But there's no hope of being rescued from this small, inhospitable island.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Shackleton knows, to stand the chance of survival,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35he must take his five best sailors in one lifeboat and travel
0:26:35 > 0:26:39over 1,000 kilometres back to the inhabited island of South Georgia.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43The other 22 men are left behind.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The South Atlantic is a miserable place to be,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- the southern oceans, it's the worst...- Big waves.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Big waves, daylight is very poor, it's very hard to read.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54And after 70 days, they reach South Georgia,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58an extraordinary boat journey, there's nothing to compare to it.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Despite their incredible achievement,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03they arrive on the wrong side of the island.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06The boat is battered and the crew exhausted,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10so Shackleton then has to lead his team across uncharted,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12rough, icy terrain by foot
0:27:12 > 0:27:15to get to the whaling station on the northern side.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20They spent 36 hours crossing non-stop.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21At one point, the men are very tired,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23so Shackleton says we'll have a sleep.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25He lets them sleep for five minutes.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29Then he wakes them up and says, "That was an hour, lads, great."
0:27:29 > 0:27:31He was very clever how he managed his men.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33But eventually they get across
0:27:33 > 0:27:36and they hear the sound of the steam whistle of the whaling station.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38In the morning, they know they've reached safety.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41But Shackleton couldn't rest
0:27:41 > 0:27:44until he'd saved all his crew from Elephant Island.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47He mustered boats from Norway and Chile
0:27:47 > 0:27:49to make several rescue attempts.
0:27:49 > 0:27:55But it wasn't until 25th August 1916 that he reached his remaining 22 men.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58They'd been stranded for almost four months
0:27:58 > 0:28:02with very little in the way of provisions, but they all survived.
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Seamus, what have we got here?
0:28:03 > 0:28:05This is actually one of the few relics
0:28:05 > 0:28:07we have of the Endurance expedition.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09It's the last biscuit that Shackleton had in his pocket
0:28:09 > 0:28:11crossing South Georgia.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14The last bit of food he had left to feed himself and his men with.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17I think he kept it as a reminder to himself for the rest of his life
0:28:17 > 0:28:20- of how close they came to death at that time.- That's marvellous.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Although Shackleton didn't achieve his scientific goals,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27his heroism has gone down in history.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31He set off on what would be his final Antarctic expedition
0:28:31 > 0:28:35in late 1921, this time aiming to circumnavigate the continent.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38Is this the album of his last voyage?
0:28:38 > 0:28:41It's images from the expedition from the very get-go.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44This album is in some ways a sad relic of the expedition
0:28:44 > 0:28:46because that's where he died -
0:28:46 > 0:28:48at the scene of his greatest triumph, where he rescued his men.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50- He died there.- He died there.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Shackleton died of a heart attack in January 1922
0:28:54 > 0:28:56and was buried on South Georgia.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59His courage and skill in keeping everyone alive
0:28:59 > 0:29:05on his trans-Antarctic expedition has become his enduring legacy.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17Back in Portlaoise, Christina is still shopping in heaven.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23- That's quite smart, isn't it?- Yes, nice little pond yacht, actually.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26I mean, it's typically early-20th century, isn't it?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- Can you imagine the hours of fun someone's had with that?- Exactly.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33- Pure enjoyment.- Yeah, exactly. - And the sails are all original.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Have you got the stand?- I don't have the stand, unfortunately.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- But the condition is good. - I do love these things.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40What have you got on that, David?
0:29:40 > 0:29:43125 we have on it, but we'll do something on it.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Could you do quite a lot on it?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- Do I have to sit down?- I think you might have to.- Tell me.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55I really don't have much money left and I don't want to offend you,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- but I love the Moorcroft.- Mm-hm.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00I mean, would you really, really, really, really
0:30:00 > 0:30:03throw me out of this beautiful place - please don't,
0:30:03 > 0:30:07because I love it - if I said 50 euros for the two?
0:30:07 > 0:30:10I'll do 60 for the two. Is that fair?
0:30:10 > 0:30:13- 60 for the two, I think that is more than fair.- Very good.
0:30:13 > 0:30:14You're incredibly generous.
0:30:14 > 0:30:15That you are.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19That's 60 euros for a reasonably priced, but slightly damaged,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Florian ware butter dish
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and a late-Victorian or early-Edwardian pond yacht.
0:30:28 > 0:30:33Meanwhile, Thomas has one last chance to shop in Kilkenny,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36at Darcy & Ralph Antiques.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- Hello.- Hello.- I'm Thomas.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- I'm George.- George, nice to see you.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46Have you got anything particularly sort of Irish related?
0:30:46 > 0:30:49I had Waterford glass yesterday, but I've run out today.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- But I've got some Belleek. - Belleek over there, is there?
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Yes, there's a bit of Belleek and a lot more besides.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59It doesn't sort of stop, does it?
0:30:59 > 0:31:02You've got pictures, mirrors, guitars,
0:31:02 > 0:31:03fans.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07I need to cool myself down. Scales.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09This is what George mentioned, a bit of Belleek.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Belleek's founder, John Caldwell Bloomfield,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16set up the Northern Irish pottery business
0:31:16 > 0:31:19to provide employment after the potato famine
0:31:19 > 0:31:23in the mid-19th century, and has been producing fine China ever since.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Oh, look at this.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- County Fermanagh. - Yeah, that's right.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32County Fermanagh.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Marked "Ireland".
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- Green mark.- Hm?
0:31:36 > 0:31:37Green mark.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- The green mark is the later one? - Yes, it is.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42A possible, then.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Or there's this Irish transfer-printed dinner service.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Look at that, made in the Republic.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50You could have that for 40.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51- 40!?- Yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- You're having a laugh. 40?- Mm.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- It's perfect, though, isn't it? Arklow pottery.- Yeah.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59HOLLOW RINGING
0:31:59 > 0:32:00A good ring.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02But there's more there.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03In fact, George has got tons of it.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07But it's not a complete dinner service and there is some damage.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12I do like this Belleek, because it's known and although it's modern,
0:32:12 > 0:32:16its lustre, it's rather smart, very fine porcelain.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18HOLLOW RINGING
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Sounds good. - A good jingle out of it, yes.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24A bit of paint on there, but that's not the end of the world.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27So, would you take 20 euros for this?
0:32:27 > 0:32:30- I will.- You would? - I will.- You have a deal. Thank you.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32You're a star. I'll give you some money.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Swift business. 20 euros for a Belleek jug and bowl.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- I wish you good luck.- Thank you. - Thanks a million.- You're a star.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Thank you. Thanks a lot.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45And with that, their first shopping trip draws to a close.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Christina spent 270 euros on a rather worn Victorian chair,
0:32:49 > 0:32:53a majolica-style jardiniere,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55a tea and coffee service,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57a Florian ware butter dish
0:32:57 > 0:32:59and a pond yacht.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03While Thomas paid out 200 euros for eight decanter labels,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05an Art Deco cocktail shaker,
0:33:05 > 0:33:07a cake breaker,
0:33:07 > 0:33:08three soda siphons,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11and a Belleek jug and bowl. So, what do they think?
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I think this is going to be really interesting.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Cos there's a couple of things Christina has bought
0:33:17 > 0:33:19which I would never have entertained.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22There seems to be quite a common theme to Thomas's purchases,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25I think the Irish black stuff might have slightly gone to his head.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27He's bought a lot of sort of alcohol-related ephemera.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29I don't know if he's trying to build himself
0:33:29 > 0:33:32a little category in the auction, maybe, to attract buyers.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36One thing I think should be consigned
0:33:36 > 0:33:39to the hole of hell of antique buying,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44that's that reproduction jardiniere. What?!
0:33:44 > 0:33:46The cocktail shaker is just Thomas through and through.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It's sleek, it's a bit glam, it's quite suave.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52I think it's fabulous, I love it, I'd buy that, I think it's great.
0:33:52 > 0:33:57After setting out from Cashel, our experts are now heading for
0:33:57 > 0:34:00their first auction, back in Birr, County Offaly,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02which is Offaly nice!
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- So, did you enjoy our first Irish buying leg?- I did, I loved it.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09I want to stay here, I don't want to go back to the United Kingdom.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14But will he be saying that after round one of Trevanion versus Plant?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16So, first leg.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21First up, literally both of us straight out of the box.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22Who's going to be victorious?
0:34:22 > 0:34:27Christina, I think you might come out of this one better than myself,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31- although you have risked more on the bigger lots.- Yeah, I have.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35I'm not confident about any of my lots, I am not confident.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37Too late now, Thomas.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Oh, there you are.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42You have mastered this thing now.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Well, I knew I would. - Right, neutral?- Yeah.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50- I'm in neutral, it's off. - Handbrake?- Handbrake on, come on.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54- Ladies first.- Thank you.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58Welcome to 45-year-old Purcell Auctioneer's.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Today's guy with the gavel is Conor Purcell.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03What does he think about our expert's treasures?
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Chair, yeah, I really don't see the demand for that at all.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11The pond yacht is a nice decorative thing.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Lovely in a man cave or something like that.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16The set of decanter labels are lovely and pretty,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19but I don't think people leave alcohol that long.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21So it might struggle.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23The cocktail shaker is a nice, collectable thing.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27I would imagine it will certainly...it'll do OK.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Time to find out who has the luck of the Irish.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34First up is Thomas's Belleek jug and bowl.
0:35:34 > 0:35:3620 anywhere for this lot?
0:35:36 > 0:35:3820 anywhere? 10 and see what happens.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42- Any advance on 10?- 10, he's got 10. 12?- Any advance on 12. 14 online.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- Any advance on 14? - Come on.- 16 in the room.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49Still in the room at 16. It's against you, online bidder.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Last chance. I'm selling in the room at 16.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56It's a shaky start, but it can only get better.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Easy for you to say.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Let's see if Thomas's Art Deco cocktail shaker
0:36:03 > 0:36:05can turn his luck around?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07The commission is here with me at 30, and two,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- and five, and eight, and 40, and two.- Profit.- 42 now.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15- 45 online. 45, 48 commission. - And rightly so.- Go on.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17On commission at 48. All done and dusted.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20It's here to be sold, and selling at 48.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- Well done. See?- Yes!
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- I've made back that four-euro loss. - And some.- And a bit more.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- You're doing well.- It's a good profit really there.- Well done.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- So, are you feeling happy about that for me?- Not really.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36All's fair in love and antiques.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Thomas has almost doubled his money on the cocktail shaker.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44Now, it's over to Christina's majolica-style jardiniere.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48- Lovely squirrel handles there. - Ahh!- Lovely squirrel handles.
0:36:48 > 0:36:5250? Have we 40 anywhere? See what happens. 40 anywhere? 40 bid online.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- At 40 bid.- Christina!
0:36:55 > 0:36:5842, lady's bid. 45. 45, 48. 50 bid.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- 50 bid online.- Well done.- 50 bid.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07- Any advance? 55. 60 bid. Two bidders online.- I'd stop now, it's fine.
0:37:07 > 0:37:1260 bid. Any advance on 60 bid? 65 bid. At 65. Any advance on 65?
0:37:12 > 0:37:18Still there at 65. Online bidder winning. At 65, and selling at 65.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22- High-funf, young girl.- I'm going to lose it all in a minute.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Have faith, milady, have faith.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Next up, it's Christina's biggest spend,
0:37:27 > 0:37:29the tea and coffee service, loads of it.
0:37:29 > 0:37:3450 anywhere for this lot? 50, 60, 70, 80 online.
0:37:34 > 0:37:35You see, 90 now.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39- 90 bid.- Oh, come on. Come on, internet!
0:37:39 > 0:37:41Any other hands in the room at 90? 95, 100.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- It's still hugely losing money. - It doesn't matter. 120.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49Still there at 120. 130 bid. 140. 140 bid.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52All done at 140.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Online bidder... At 150 bid.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Last chance to you all, online, in the room and elsewhere at 150.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00It's selling at 150.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Well done. See? All of that. How do you feel?
0:38:04 > 0:38:07- You must feel exhausted.- Relieved. Hugely relieved.- Exhausted.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11It's a lucky escape, with only a small loss after auction costs.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Now, it's back over to Thomas with his three soda siphons.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21Nice lot again. And straight in. 32, 35, 40, 42, 45, 48, 50 bid.
0:38:21 > 0:38:25- That's a profit.- That's a profit. Ugh!- That's a profit.- At 55.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I'm out at 55. In the room at 55.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32- More, more, more.- Any advance on 65? 60 bid.- 60.- Oh, my goodness.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Any advance on 60? 60 bid. Last chance, going, going... 65.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38- 65, go on.- Stop it.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Any advance on 65?
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- With a little encouragement at 65. - One more?
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- No, he doesn't need any encouragement.- And selling at 65.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Well done. Seriously, well done. I'm amazed.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Top job, Thomas. Another solid profit.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Now for Christina's bargain Florian ware butter dish,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58but will the damage hold it back?
0:38:58 > 0:39:03- Commissions in again. 30, 32, 35, 38, 40 bid.- Starting bids.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06- Two, five, six.- 45 with me. At 45. 48? 50 bid.
0:39:06 > 0:39:0955. Takes me out at 55.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12- Come on, internet. Come on.- Oh, no!
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- Five.- That should have made more than that.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- I feel bad for you, Christina. - It's a profit.- It's a profit.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Don't feel too bad, she's doubled her money.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Christina's Victorian chair is up now. Stand by.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31Needs a bit of TLC. Who will start us at 80? 60? 50?
0:39:31 > 0:39:35- Have we 40 anywhere? 40 anywhere? - Go on. It's beautiful.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- 30 have we? 20 anywhere?- Ouch!
0:39:38 > 0:39:4120 anywhere for this one? 20 anywhere?
0:39:41 > 0:39:43I think I might take that and be grateful for it.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47- 20, all done around the room?- That's not great news, is it?- Oh, no!
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- 20 euros. I can't really...- Mary.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's not exactly in peak condition, Christina.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58Can the pond yacht do any better?
0:39:58 > 0:40:0250 anywhere? 50 anywhere for the pond yacht? 40, start me at 30.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- 30 bid. 30 bid.- Come on!
0:40:05 > 0:40:0732 online. 32. And 35.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- One more, come on. Come on. - Any advance on 35?- Come on, come on!
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Any advance on 35? 38 bid. 38 bid.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- It needs to make a bit more than that.- Last chance to you all.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21- It's going, going at 30... At 40 bid.- Hooray!
0:40:21 > 0:40:2242 bid in the room.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Oh, he's in the room as well. - Two in the room now.- 45, 48.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28They can put their hands down now.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- She's getting too big for her boots. - Selling at 48.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36I think you have done tremendously well.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37- Well done, you. - That's it, I'm done.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41That's Christina all out, ending with a nice little profit.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43But Thomas still has two more items to go,
0:40:43 > 0:40:47starting with his sterling silver cake breaker.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51Commission is in at 50, and five, 60 bid.
0:40:51 > 0:40:56- What did you pay for it?- 55.- Oh!- Put your hand up if you are bidding. 65.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- 70 bid.- 70 bid, whoa, yes!
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Any advance? 75.- 75. - It is there, isn't it?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04My commission buyer is winning.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07At 80 bid, make no mistake, I'm selling at 80.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Goodness. That was really good. Well spotted.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14Cakes are popular, people like baking at the moment.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17But it would also be very useful if you'd forgotten your hairbrush.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19Another little earner for him.
0:41:19 > 0:41:24Finally, it's Thomas's eight decanter labels.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25Starting at 40.
0:41:25 > 0:41:2830, nice things, these. 30 anywhere?
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- Oh, no, he we go.- 20 anywhere for all the labels? 20 bid.
0:41:31 > 0:41:37- Any advance on 20? - Go on.- 22.- 22. 22 bid. 22, 25.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41- Go on.- It's a bidding war.- 30 bid. Any advance on 30 bid?
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Here to be sold. Selling at 30.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49- It's a hard loss.- Welcome to my world.- It's a horrible loss.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51This one could be a close call.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Let's go check the figures and have a cup of tea.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56- Maybe we can go and use your cocktail shaker.- I've sold it now.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- Oh, Thomas!- It's gone.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02- Come on.- Come on, then.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Thomas began with 285 euros.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10After auction costs, he lost four euros, two cents,
0:42:10 > 0:42:15leaving him with almost 281 euros to spend next time.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Christina started with the same sum.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21After deducting auction costs,
0:42:21 > 0:42:25she made a profit of seven euros, 16 cents,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29giving her the early lead and just over 292 euros.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34- My goodness, what a roller coaster! - Up and down.- Up and down.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- Losses, profits.- I think we are almost on the level.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41No, I made a little bit of a profit, and I have to say that
0:42:41 > 0:42:44- because it hardly ever happens. - In you go.- So what happened...?
0:42:44 > 0:42:45I'm not telling you. Get in.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48- Did you make a profit or a loss? - Get in, I'm not telling you.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- I was about equal, all right? - I don't think it was.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56I was about equal, remember? Do we need to talk about this?
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- I think we do.- It's not fair.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Next time, on the Antiques Road Trip, Christina gets in a muddle...
0:43:04 > 0:43:07And I in the right place? I'm very confused.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10..and Thomas takes a relaxed approach.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14I'm feeling very confident... which is always a bad thing.