0:00:02 > 0:00:05Even in Britain's grandest houses, belts are tightening
0:00:05 > 0:00:08as the deepest recession since the war bites.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Some are battling for survival as decay takes hold,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15threatening their future and our very history.
0:00:15 > 0:00:21Morgan inherited the estate just as the credit crunch hit.
0:00:21 > 0:00:26With heritage grants scarce, they're faced with a stark choice.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29It'd break my heart to see those go.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34To preserve these precious places, will they sell the family silver to save their stately?
0:00:36 > 0:00:40I've no intention on my watch of seeing this building deteriorate.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45This is John Foster. He's had 20 years as a fine arts and antiques specialist.
0:00:45 > 0:00:51He's bringing his expertise to try to throw these treasured properties a lifeline.
0:00:51 > 0:00:5515,000 front row. All done at 15,000? All done.
0:00:55 > 0:01:01This week, Borris House in southern Ireland desperately needs some new ideas.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04The owners have already abandoned one wing entirely
0:01:04 > 0:01:09and the remaining grand rooms are under constant threat
0:01:09 > 0:01:10of damp and damage.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16You dread finding dry rot, slates blown off, storm damage.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19If they don't find a new income,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23this imposing and important house could soon be history.
0:01:36 > 0:01:43The village of Borris is in rural Ireland, 70 miles from Dublin.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46It's actually quite a pretty little village.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49The McMurrough-Kavanagh family built this model village
0:01:49 > 0:01:52and the Borris estate stretches right into the heart of it.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55I'm really intrigued as to what we're going to find here.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Country houses in Ireland over the years have taken a real battering.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Which means the ones that are left are hugely precious
0:02:02 > 0:02:04and really need looking after.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Their family records go back to 1169.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Our family goes back pre-Norman.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Unfortunately it was one of ours that invited them in
0:02:16 > 0:02:19and caused the last thousand years of strife.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22When Morgan Kavanagh is not apologising for his ancestors,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26he's kept busy running the 600-acre estate.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32I try and divide my time 50% to the farm,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35sort of 50% to the house and the events,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39trying a little bit of everything to keep the place going really.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43It's all our jobs, my parents and Sara and I, we spend every minute of our lives, really, here.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47It's a great place to live and bring up children.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50We're very passionate about the place.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Morgan inherited the job from his father Andrew two years ago.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01His parents will soon hand over Borris House
0:03:01 > 0:03:04to make way for Morgan, Sara and their four children.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Really looking forward to moving in here, yeah. We desperately need more space.
0:03:10 > 0:03:16We've totally outgrown our house, with four children under seven.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19That's the only slightly daunting prospect -
0:03:19 > 0:03:24they seem to have a tendency to draw on everything they possibly can.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29We just try to maintain normal family life...
0:03:29 > 0:03:34without them totally destroying the whole house in the process!
0:03:36 > 0:03:40It is very important that our children grow up in the house.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44So that they have a love for it as well.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Because if they don't, they're never going to want to live here.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49You know, and then what happens to it?
0:03:49 > 0:03:54It's called Borris House, but it's actually more of a castle.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56It looks Georgian in style.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Built in 1731, this 50-room grand house
0:04:01 > 0:04:04is an important building in Irish history.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Despite heritage grants for some repairs,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11it costs £200,000 a year to run and it's experiencing tough times.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Issues with this wing, the nursery wing.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21That needs an awful lot of money put into it really to restore it.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Up here with these chimneys - they've become quite unstable.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28The church has given us a lot of problems over the last ten years.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33The Kavanaghs have asked John Foster to try to help their efforts
0:04:33 > 0:04:34to fund restoration work.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39You must be Morgan.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43Stunning, isn't it? Those views - unbelievable.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- It's a great view.- Really amazing. - And that's some coat of arms there.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Yeah. "Siochain agus Fairsinge." The Kavanagh motto.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- What does that mean? - "Peace and plenty" in Irish.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Anyone who knows about Kavanagh history, we weren't particularly peaceful.
0:04:58 > 0:04:59Really? THEY LAUGH
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- I can't wait to see inside. - Come on in.- Thanks.
0:05:05 > 0:05:06Morgan has a plan.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09He wants to bring more tourists to Borris
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and wants a visitor centre to bring in more funds.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19It will cost £80,000. He's applying to get half in grants
0:05:19 > 0:05:23but hopes he and John can raise an initial 20,000
0:05:23 > 0:05:26to stabilise the old building and kick-start the project.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32John's job is to find antiques that will appeal to the market
0:05:32 > 0:05:36to raise funds without losing precious family heirlooms.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37Thanks. Wow.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40- Very much built to impress, this room.- It really is.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44The architects were a father and son team.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46William and Richard Morrison.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49- They finished their work here in 1812.- Wow.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53It is just stunning. The detail on it.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56They loved playing with the shape of the room. You'll see in the drawing room as well.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02- They made a circular feeling to the drawing room as well. - I can't wait to see more.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- Come into the drawing room and we'll get started.- Excellent.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10- Wow, another great room. - It's a beautiful room.- It really is.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- And the light.- Yeah.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13Fantastic views as well.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17And you're thinking of selling some things, Morgan?
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Anything in particular in this room or...?
0:06:19 > 0:06:24There's an interesting self-portrait by an unknown artist in the corner here.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- You're happy for me to look around? - Yeah. And the rest of the house. - Brilliant, excellent.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29I'll get started.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35The painting was inherited by the family relatively recently
0:06:35 > 0:06:38but is something of a mystery.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41It's clearly a self-portrait of the artist.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Actually, he's quite a dandy really.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I love the fact he's got this lady sitting here...
0:06:47 > 0:06:49really in a modest pose,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52rather than a subservient pose,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55but it's so well painted.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I wonder if there's anything on the back.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00No, no clue. No clue on the back.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03There's no signature.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08The reason why a portrait of the artist would be more valuable
0:07:08 > 0:07:11is because if you collect that artist,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14you can have Lady So-and-so, Lord So-and-so,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and then you have the artist itself. It puts the whole collection into context.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20I really hope we can find out who that is.
0:07:20 > 0:07:26It's an intriguing picture, but with no signature, maybe hard to value.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30But what else would Morgan and Sara be prepared to sell?
0:07:30 > 0:07:34If I did find some things that you were more attached to,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37is there anything else that you would consider,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40or is anything up for grabs really?
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Not everything. I mean, anything that is integral
0:07:44 > 0:07:48to the history of the house would not be for sale at this stage.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53What's actually really interesting is this carpet.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57The condition is excellent. And I wonder if there's...
0:07:59 > 0:08:02That says, "Dining room, fine old Heriz,"
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Heriz being basically a carpet from Iran.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09And usually...usually they're completely wrecked
0:08:09 > 0:08:11when they're in houses like this. I mean,
0:08:11 > 0:08:16really, a carpet like this, you would have collectors all over the place for it.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21The article that we weren't going to sell was definitely the carpet.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- It does suit the room beautifully. - Hmm.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29OK. No carpet. But we can still look at furniture.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33Really some quite gorgeous things.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35What you'd expect to find in any country house would be
0:08:35 > 0:08:39an Irish wake table.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41The body would be laid out in the coffin
0:08:41 > 0:08:43on top of a table like this.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46And what's nice is basically
0:08:46 > 0:08:50you should be cut from one piece of mahogany, which this is.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I mean, unfortunately, with the way the economy has gone,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57a lot of Irish furniture has dropped and these have suffered quite badly.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01A few years ago, this would have been quite a serious table
0:09:01 > 0:09:04but, even so, it's still a great piece.,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07A lot of the furniture was made for the house.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- So we'd be obviously very loath to...- Hmm.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15So the furniture is out now too.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17But what about books in the library?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21Wow! It really is quite something in here!
0:09:21 > 0:09:27I'm loath to sell anything as well, as Morgan said, that's integral to the house.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32I'm a hoarder by nature, so I don't like the thought of selling anything, I have to admit.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36I've actually sold a pair of these before.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40They're known as Canova Lions, designed by Antonio Canova
0:09:40 > 0:09:45for the tomb of Pope Clement XIII at St Peter's Basilica in Rome.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48What you would do is go and visit the tomb,
0:09:48 > 0:09:50go 200 yards down the road
0:09:50 > 0:09:52and you would see these in a shop window
0:09:52 > 0:09:56and buy them as a souvenir piece, really.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I am very keen on the lions.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It'd break my heart to see those go.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09This is a tough ask. Over the years, lots of the family heirlooms
0:10:09 > 0:10:12seem to have been lost, broken and even sold off in the 1950s
0:10:12 > 0:10:14to pay for massive death duties.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Now I'm going to have to push Morgan and Sara to sell items
0:10:17 > 0:10:19that really mean something to them.
0:10:19 > 0:10:25All we have so far is an unsigned self-portrait of an artist...
0:10:25 > 0:10:27and this is just not enough.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32John needs reinforcements.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35He's called in antiquarian book expert Fonsie Mealy
0:10:35 > 0:10:37to scour the library.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40My father, when he'd walk into a room like this,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42from whatever third sense it is
0:10:42 > 0:10:45or fifth sense or tenth sense, I don't know,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49but he would be led to the cabinet where the good books are.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55Long ago, people just liked to build a big library.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57They would fill it with any kind of bindings
0:10:57 > 0:10:59but now the collector is looking for specific subjects.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Whatever subject he decides on, he will follow that to the ends of the Earth.
0:11:03 > 0:11:08One must realise that condition is all-important
0:11:08 > 0:11:14and, like with property, that location, location, location is the value of your house,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17with books it's condition, condition, condition.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20While Fonsie sniffs out best-sellers,
0:11:20 > 0:11:24a party of Bavarian farmers has arrived for a tour.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28But there's a problem -
0:11:28 > 0:11:32they can't get the coach through the ancient gateway.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Everybody off!
0:11:39 > 0:11:41It was a little bit difficult.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44The gate was too tight so we couldn't fit the coach into it
0:11:44 > 0:11:47and we were wondering what to do.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50So we took them out and let them walk here.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55It's not just the Germans who want to see Borris.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Even without visitor attractions,
0:11:57 > 0:12:00sight-seers from around the world are eager to see it.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03You're very welcome to Borris House.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08My name is Morgan McMurrough-Kavanagh and I'll just give you a brief history of the house.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11The house was built in around 1590
0:12:11 > 0:12:14on the site of an old Norman keep and...
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Accompanying the tour is Eileen O'Rourke from County Carlow Tourism
0:12:19 > 0:12:23who can also see Borris's bigger tourism potential.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Visitors need somewhere to eat,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28they need somewhere to use the bathroom facilities,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30and they also want to do a little bit of shopping.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So if there was a gift shop attached to what's here,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35that would obviously improve things as well.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37In the Great Rebellion of 1798
0:12:37 > 0:12:43the house was attacked twice by rebels and was quite badly damaged.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45WOMAN TRANSLATES INTO GERMAN
0:12:45 > 0:12:50Establishing Borris as a tourist attraction would also benefit the wider community.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Development here would have spin-off both in the local hotels,
0:12:54 > 0:12:59in the B&Bs, in the pubs and in the other heritage attractions around.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Sadly, for now, the Germans must go elsewhere
0:13:02 > 0:13:05in search of tea and retail therapy.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Morgan's plan could help.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14He wants to transform an old outbuilding
0:13:14 > 0:13:16into a lucrative visitor centre.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22So, John, this is the laundry building, the old laundry building.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26We've been using it for storage for the last 20 years.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28You've got plenty of wood too!
0:13:28 > 0:13:30You need a bit of imagination.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34How exactly would you lay all this out? What's your vision?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37We would hope to have a small tea room, small shop.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42The area through here would be a display area and up here as well.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45The gallery area. It's a huge space at the back there. So...
0:13:46 > 0:13:51These facilities would mean that tourists could stay longer
0:13:51 > 0:13:54and spend more money to help with funding the restoration.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- Hello.- Hi.- Hi. - Depressing old spot, isn't it?
0:14:01 > 0:14:05Morgan's mother, Tina, has lived at Borris for 40 years.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09- I think it's amazing.- Oh, yeah, but at the moment it's ghastly.
0:14:09 > 0:14:15- I mean, it was definitely built as a laundry, the way it is. - No, because...
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- This part here was.- This part was.
0:14:17 > 0:14:23There are somewhere... There were the big old wooden sinks around the edge.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- There's one there.- Oh, yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29What do you think about it? Are you excited by it? It's quite a big project, isn't it?
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Oh, I think it would be very exciting.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I think it's a wonderful idea. Be a great sort of focus.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Because we get a lot of people who wander in.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40And it'd be a great place to send them.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- And what's the timescale for all of this?- Well, it depends on funding!
0:14:44 > 0:14:46HE LAUGHS
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Six months, a year, two years?
0:14:48 > 0:14:52We would hope to start work in the autumn.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Wow, so pretty soon. - To have it ready for next...summer.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Fonsie has called John and Morgan to the library.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- How you getting on? All right? - Very well indeed.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07He's found something that's excited him.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I found this very attractive book. It's Palladio's Architecture,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14which would form the cornerstone of any collection on architecture.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19Printed in 1737, it should have about 211 plates in it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21I haven't counted them
0:15:21 > 0:15:27but what I love about it is, it does have an attribution to the house.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Very slight, so it would have been bought by one of your forebears.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33But that book, in the condition it's in,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35is probably 4,000-6,000 euro.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Then we come on to this very large, wonderful book.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Alas, this one is unfortunately showing its age.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Printed in 1807, it should have 40 plates, wonderful plates.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50And all of these, you must remember, were hand coloured.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And what would this one in this condition be worth?
0:15:53 > 0:15:55In good condition it's between
0:15:55 > 0:16:00- 20,000 and 25,000. - Wow. That's crazy.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02In that condition, unfortunately,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05it's what they call a breaker's copy.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Somebody will buy them to make sets of four prints,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11but you're looking at maybe, for the breaker,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14somewhere around 3,500-5,000.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Progress. Two possible sellers.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19But will Morgan part with them?
0:16:21 > 0:16:23What do you think? Shall we let them go or...?
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I'm... I... I-I...
0:16:28 > 0:16:31I'm going to keep this for that sort of price.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34But you have to let something go.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I don't want to push you on it, but that's a lot of money sitting there.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42Yeah, but, I mean, we're getting there in stages and...
0:16:42 > 0:16:45the Palladian Architecture, you know,
0:16:45 > 0:16:47that's going to make a contribution to the...
0:16:47 > 0:16:50And if they don't? Can we consider this?
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- No.- Definitely not?- Definitely not.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56I think we're going to struggle, Morgan, to get the money, you know.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00It's... That's what I'm here for - to sell stuff.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I mean, ultimately. I know it's tough on you, but...
0:17:02 > 0:17:05No, that's not going to go at that sort of price.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- You're digging in?- Yep.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Morgan has decided to hold on to the sporting book,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14but the higher-value architecture book can be sold -
0:17:14 > 0:17:19a difficult choice as it has a direct link to the house.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Before the book comes up for sale,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35John has time to get some expert opinion on the self-portrait.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40In Dublin, Irish art specialist David Britton is the man to help.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Morning. David?- Yes, John?- Pleased to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I'm hoping that you've been able to find something.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Well, I've certainly done my best to go and try.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54From the photographs you've sent me, it's nice
0:17:54 > 0:17:56to see the picture in reality.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01The person I feel it is by is an Irish artist called James Sinton Sleator.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04And what led that? Was it a gut feeling that you had?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07He actually pained quite a number of self-portraits.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10There are actually two self-portraits, one very early one
0:18:10 > 0:18:13and one later one, in the National Gallery of Ireland's collection.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Another hint, too, that it could be by Sleator
0:18:16 > 0:18:19is this lovely turquoise colour here.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's an unusual colour that actually Sleator used quite a lot.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- More so in his still lives.- Hmm.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27This shows actually Sinton Sleator
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- holding Sir William Orpen's palette. - Right.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Sir William Orpen would probably be
0:18:32 > 0:18:36one of the best-known English portrait painters.
0:18:36 > 0:18:42- He was one of Orpen's star pupils. - Orpen is good news.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44He's unfortunately not in that league.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Even though he's rarer than Orpen, the estimate would be
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- 3,000-5,000 euros.- OK.
0:18:49 > 0:18:525,000 euros, or £4,000
0:18:52 > 0:18:55would go a long way towards Morgan's plans at Borris,
0:18:55 > 0:18:57so John has entered the painting
0:18:57 > 0:19:00for a sale of important Irish art in six weeks' time.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13First, the book is up for sale at a grand house near Waterford.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19Yesterday, they were saying they had 67 countries
0:19:19 > 0:19:20bidding on the internet.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22So this could only be good for our books.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24I'm really excited to see how it goes.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27The book being sold is rare.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30John hopes it will appeal to collectors.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33It's been in Morgan's family a long time.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37The book was collected by Walter Kavanagh, who died in 1818.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39It's actually signed by him.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44It was him who used the Morrisons then, on the house,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47so, he obviously had an interest in architecture.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49560, I'm bid.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Another good sign is that Fonsie will be selling the book.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56The bid is on the net at 560 euro. All done at 560?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59And Sara has come along to bring Morgan luck.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Once, twice and for the last time...
0:20:01 > 0:20:03The phone lines are ready, the bidders are keen,
0:20:03 > 0:20:08and Morgan's book, lot 736, is up next.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12It's the Palladio, the exceptionally fine copy of Palladio,
0:20:12 > 0:20:13with all the plates.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17With various commissions, we're starting at 2,200.
0:20:17 > 0:20:212,200, I'm bid. 2,200, I'm bid. 2,200, 2,200, I'm bid. 2,200...
0:20:21 > 0:20:25A flurry of bids shoot it up to its 4,000 euro reserve in moments.
0:20:25 > 0:20:293,900. 4,000, I'm bid. 4,000, 4,000 and on the left,
0:20:29 > 0:20:314,100, 4,200, 4,200...
0:20:31 > 0:20:33And it just keeps going.
0:20:33 > 0:20:374,800. 5,000, I'm bid. 5,000, I'm bid. 5,200, I'm bid. 5,200...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40At the back of the room at 5,200... 6,000, I'm bid now.
0:20:40 > 0:20:426,000, I'm bid.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Has it reached its peak at 7,700?
0:20:44 > 0:20:487,700. At 7,700. Immaculate copy.
0:20:50 > 0:20:547,800, I'm bid. At 7,800.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- On the internet, 7,800... - It just keeps going.
0:20:57 > 0:21:018,000, I'm bid now. 8,000, I'm bid. 8,500, I'm bid. 8,500. 8,500,
0:21:01 > 0:21:048,500. At 8,500 euros...
0:21:04 > 0:21:07We sell, once at 8,500.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12Twice at 8,500 and the last time, at 8,500 euro.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Thank you. 301.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Is he smiling?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Yes. THEY LAUGH
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Thank you very much.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I mean, £2,000 starting bid,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- I was thinking, is it going to sell? - Yes.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- But then the bidding war started and once that gets going...- Yes.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31The internet and then...
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Someone standing at the back and the phone bidder...- Yes.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- ..and they didn't want to let it go. - Yes.- Yes.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- It was a great result. - Yes, that was a great result.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- A lot of money for a book. - It really is, isn't it?
0:21:45 > 0:21:49The book sold for the equivalent of £6,700.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53And John negotiated a 10% trade commission.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56This leaves £14,000 to raise.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06At Borris, Tina's on a mission.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Do other people have things like this in their houses?
0:22:09 > 0:22:13She takes care of the house's historical collections...
0:22:13 > 0:22:15when she can find the keys!
0:22:15 > 0:22:17I'm having another look for this key!
0:22:18 > 0:22:21'It would be great to have somewhere'
0:22:21 > 0:22:23where we could show people the records that we have
0:22:23 > 0:22:26without them having to come into the house and, you know.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30I suppose that would be rather an obvious place to put it, wouldn't it?
0:22:30 > 0:22:34I mean, she doesn't look that plain there, really, does she?
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Borris House holds an important collection
0:22:36 > 0:22:39of family diaries and estate ledgers.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Because it's been the same family since it was built,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45we have a lot of their diaries and letters.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50We also have an enormous record of people in the area
0:22:50 > 0:22:52and the maps of their houses,
0:22:52 > 0:22:55and where they lived, and what rent they paid, and...
0:22:56 > 0:22:58So, it's actually a huge social history.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01Tina's sure there's something in the cupboard
0:23:01 > 0:23:03that could be of interest to tourists -
0:23:03 > 0:23:05if only she could find the key!
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Dennis the locksmith's been called in.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11- Do you think that fits better than the other one?- Definitely.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14It's a fairly old cupboard-style lock.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16It's lots of little grooves
0:23:16 > 0:23:19and stuff you wouldn't see in modern locks.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25After an hour of turning, twisting and filing...
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Tina produces an ancient box...
0:23:27 > 0:23:29There's the key of the lace!
0:23:32 > 0:23:35The key fits, but now it's the lock that's out of kilter.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Keep going, Dennis!
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Dennis struggles on.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47In the derelict nursery wing, John's in search of forgotten treasure.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49'Blimey!'
0:23:49 > 0:23:52This...is terrible up here.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00They've got a lovely old Victorian gentleman's wardrobe, there.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05I suppose it's Joan of Arc.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10And that would date, that would date from about 1890, 1900.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Usually you would expect these to be spelter,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16but this one is actually bronze, and that...
0:24:18 > 0:24:21It's signed, which is nice - Cordez.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24I think she could do quite well.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27In a house of this age, John is confident
0:24:27 > 0:24:31he can sniff out items overlooked by the family.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36And in the drawing room...
0:24:37 > 0:24:39..Dennis, has had success.
0:24:40 > 0:24:45- Well done, you're a star!- Yeah. - You're an absolute star!
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Didn't think I'd ever see the lace again!
0:24:48 > 0:24:52The drawer is packed with...lace!
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Borris Lace, made on the estate for nearly 120 years.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00Its in amazing condition and very rare.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01This won't be up for sale
0:25:01 > 0:25:05but the family feel it's got great social history value
0:25:05 > 0:25:07for the new visitor centre.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- Did you take that from this book...? - That came from that one, yes.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Yes, make sure it goes back there cos it's all...- I will do.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15What's the story then, Tina, with the lace?
0:25:15 > 0:25:19It was started by Lady Harriet, who was married to Thomas.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Was Thomas Kavanagh's second wife.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24She was actually quite an adventurous traveller,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26she wasn't, like, you know, the Grand Tour people
0:25:26 > 0:25:29who would just, sort of, go to see the sights and...
0:25:29 > 0:25:32She did actually go to Egypt and the Holy Land
0:25:32 > 0:25:36and one of the places she travelled to was in the Adriatic.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- This, apparently, is a very continental pattern.- Oh!
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- That's a pomegranate.- Hm, why would she have brought that back, then?
0:25:43 > 0:25:44Just as a hobby, or...?
0:25:44 > 0:25:49Oh, no, she brought it back to start up a lace industry in Borris to...
0:25:49 > 0:25:52You know, a cottage industry... to supplement the income
0:25:52 > 0:25:55of the people living in the cottages because their...
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- During the famine and...- Oh, I see!
0:26:00 > 0:26:05Between 1846 and 1851, a million Irish people died
0:26:05 > 0:26:07when the potato crop failed.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10Potatoes accounted for 60% of the nation's food
0:26:10 > 0:26:13and tenant farmers at Borris would have struggled
0:26:13 > 0:26:16were it not for Lady Harriet's lace business,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18which enabled the women to learn a skill
0:26:18 > 0:26:21and earn vital income in such desperate times.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29Would it have given a family a reasonable income in a year?
0:26:29 > 0:26:35I think so. I mean, there was a Mrs Poole who, in 1872,
0:26:35 > 0:26:39had an income of £12 in the year. That would have been quite a lot.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Presumably, it would have been a good income for the estate as well?
0:26:42 > 0:26:43Very little money was actually made.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47The only money, really, that was made was given to the workers.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52So she purely did it as... well, a charity exercise almost.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Yeah, but, you know, she probably wouldn't have seen it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I don't think they would have seen it as a charity.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00I think she would have seen it as a duty, you know?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03This is lovely, to have all this,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05but have you got paperwork and ledgers, and things?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- Yes, there are ledgers. - Have we got those handy?
0:27:08 > 0:27:11No, they're locked away and the key isn't working again.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Oh, the key scenario!
0:27:23 > 0:27:26Money-making ventures to pay today's bills at Borris
0:27:26 > 0:27:28are constantly being attempted.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Tonight there's a film club.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37We usually have about 30-40 people sometimes, so...
0:27:37 > 0:27:40And then, tomorrow morning, we'll have to change it back again
0:27:40 > 0:27:43for the lunch that we're doing tomorrow
0:27:43 > 0:27:46for the friends of the National Gallery.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49So, plenty of shifting about!
0:27:49 > 0:27:50It's non-stop.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Film nights, tours, weddings and events are all being held
0:27:53 > 0:27:55to keep on top of running costs.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03The minimum, you know, between insurance, heating costs, um...
0:28:03 > 0:28:08you know, we need to be bringing in roughly about 200,000 a year.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12You know, some years we get close to it and some years we don't.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17Before having children, Morgan's wife, Sara, was an events manager,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20so many of the money-making ideas are hers.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23I just do the...I do the hard yards!
0:28:23 > 0:28:26The wife comes up with the ideas and tells me what to do!
0:28:26 > 0:28:32Well, Morgan inherited the estate just as the credit crunch hit,
0:28:32 > 0:28:36which, of course, you know, we weren't expecting.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40So, we had a few tough years, and Ireland is in a deep recession.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45You know, things are very, very hard for most people at the moment.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47It's a good idea, you know,
0:28:47 > 0:28:51when she came in and started to do these events.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55You know, she came up with ideas that we'd never really thought about.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58Or maybe had thought about but had dismissed because, you know,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01they were slightly out of our comfort zone, really.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03So that's been a good thing.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Um, it's just doing all the work she tells you to do!
0:29:09 > 0:29:13It's really all about not keeping your eggs all in one basket.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Because if that goes then you really are in trouble.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20So the more different things we can do, not only is it more enjoyable
0:29:20 > 0:29:24and it's more of an asset to the community as well.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Borris's big screen is a close to a cinema as the village gets
0:29:29 > 0:29:31and the film night is just one way
0:29:31 > 0:29:34of drawing the local community to the house.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41I suppose what we really want is the place to be self-sustaining.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45So again, you don't want to put that burden upon your children either.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48You know, whoever will agree to take it on,
0:29:48 > 0:29:51you want it to be able to wipe its own face, I suppose.
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Be financially self-sustaining.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56So you're not putting a burden upon them.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59The small profit from the night
0:29:59 > 0:30:02is enough to pay for this week's electricity bill
0:30:02 > 0:30:04but goes nowhere towards on-going repairs.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07More money is badly needed.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19It's the day of the sale of the Sleator self-portrait.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21We're here in Dublin, at Adam's Auctioneers
0:30:21 > 0:30:23and with all the hustle and bustle
0:30:23 > 0:30:27I think this is the best place to sell this Sleator painting.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30They do such an unbelievable job at marketing this kind of Irish art.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37It was here that a Jack Yeats picture sold last year
0:30:37 > 0:30:38for one million euro -
0:30:38 > 0:30:42the highest price paid at auction for a work of art in Ireland.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50The Irish Art market has grown despite the economic slowdown
0:30:50 > 0:30:52but satisfying hungry collectors is hard
0:30:52 > 0:30:55as people who own good pictures are hanging onto them,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58as it feels a safer investment than the stock market.
0:30:58 > 0:31:0219,000. In the room at 9,500. Any advance on 9,500?
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Are you all out...?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07But will this lesser-known artist's work appeal?
0:31:09 > 0:31:15The Sleator has to reach 3,000 euro, or £2,300, to sell.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21'Lot number 69. Who will start me at 1,500 euro for it, please? 1,500.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23'1,500 euro...'
0:31:23 > 0:31:24The sale starts very slowly.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27'..1,500 euro on this self-portrait.'
0:31:27 > 0:31:29It's slow.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31'By Sleator. 1,600.'
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- 'Thank you, 16...'- There doesn't seem to be any interest in the room.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39'Are you all out at 3,000 euro? Fair warning now at 3,000 euro...'
0:31:39 > 0:31:43And it just scrapes over the lower estimate.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Let's go, shall we get out of here?
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- You must be gutted, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:31:51 > 0:31:57Target looks a long way away now. Um...didn't go well. Anyway.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59- Pint of Guinness? - Definitely.- Let's go.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09The Sleator sold for £2,130 after commission.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25The disappointing art sale has prompted Morgan to find
0:32:25 > 0:32:27something of his own to sell.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- It's a Joseph Lang. - Hmm. It's a good maker.
0:32:31 > 0:32:37- My parents bought it at auction for me for my 21st birthday.- Wow.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41But unfortunately it's made for a small, right-handed man.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43- Oh, so it just doesn't fit? - It doesn't fit.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46I mean, the condition is pretty good.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50It's numbered one. It would have been one of a pair.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52It's nice that it's number one rather than two,
0:32:52 > 0:32:54because they would be less.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58When you rang Lang, did they give you an indication of value?
0:32:58 > 0:33:04- They said a similar gun had sold for seven and a half.- Right. OK.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05That's...
0:33:05 > 0:33:11I would assume that's a retail figure rather than an auction figure.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I believed it was an auction figure, I could be wrong.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15That's a lot for a gun like this.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20I have sold a few Langs over the years -
0:33:20 > 0:33:24more recently a gun that Lang made for one of the maharajahs,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28and that was inlaid with gold, and that only made 8,000.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33So I do think it is... Really, 2,000-3,000 is about the mark.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- That's wouldn't be great, but...- No.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42Morgan has agreed to let me sell the shotgun at £2,000 reserve.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46But I know he's really disappointed with this, and it is a low reserve
0:33:46 > 0:33:49but this is where the game becomes a bit tactical.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52If you place something into an auction at too high a reserve,
0:33:52 > 0:33:57it will just put people off and you need to really generate interest.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02So now it's up to me to make sure I place it into the right sale to maximise.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06The first thing I always do is check out an auction house's website.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08This is really an indicator to me
0:34:08 > 0:34:10that they are passionate about their job,
0:34:10 > 0:34:15they're up to speed on marketing and will really get you the best price.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Check that the auction house has online bidding.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21It means that someone can be sitting in an armchair in Australia
0:34:21 > 0:34:25and bid on it real-time during the sale from the comfort of their own home.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28And don't assume London is the best place to sell
0:34:28 > 0:34:31because sometimes placing something in the provinces,
0:34:31 > 0:34:33even if it's special, can do really well
0:34:33 > 0:34:36because it generates a huge amount of interest
0:34:36 > 0:34:38whereas in London it could be one of many.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Back in the library, John has spotted a stack of old diaries
0:34:51 > 0:34:55and has asked Morgan's sister Aoife to tell him about the author.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- You must be Aoife.- Yes.- Hi. John.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- Morgan said you were the person to ask about these diaries.- Yes?
0:35:01 > 0:35:03This one here is the great diary
0:35:03 > 0:35:07of my great-great-great-grandfather, Arthur.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11Born in 1831, so he's 15 when he writes this diary.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Harriet, his mother, deviated from the tradition of the grand tour
0:35:15 > 0:35:18in that the grand tours were all in Europe.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21It was Arthur's mother, Lady Harriet,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25who introduced lace making during the famine.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29On this one, they travelled... Turkey, Cairo,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32down the River Nile.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35So he sounds like quite an interesting character.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37To say he's interesting is an understatement.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40He led a very full life. He travelled a lot.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43He was a brilliant sailor, he was a brilliant horseman,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45he was a brilliant architect.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48He was a very enlightened landlord. He built the railway here.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50- He was a politician.- Hmm.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55He also... He was born with no arms and legs.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59- Now, did Morgan set you up to this? - I promise you. Yeah.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03He was actually born with no arms and legs?
0:36:03 > 0:36:04I don't believe it.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08How would he have written these with such neat handwriting?
0:36:08 > 0:36:12His arms came to about here and here and he held the pen in his mouth.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16He actually first learned to paint. His mother taught him to paint.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- I can see you're being serious. - I am serious.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22He only lived for about 55 years. He died eventually
0:36:22 > 0:36:26of health problems. But to do what he did in his short life
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- is extraordinary. - It's amazing.- Yeah.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32Superstitious locals had their own ideas
0:36:32 > 0:36:35about why Arthur was born without arms and legs.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43His mother, Lady Harriet, was Protestant, and controversially
0:36:43 > 0:36:47remodelled the Catholic estate chapel to reflect her own faith.
0:36:51 > 0:36:57It is said that when Harriet took down the statues from this chapel here
0:36:57 > 0:37:00that the statue actually fell
0:37:00 > 0:37:03and the arms were meant to have broken off
0:37:03 > 0:37:07- and they said that is why Arthur was born...- It was a sign, right.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Modern science has revealed that Arthur's birth defects
0:37:11 > 0:37:16were probably due to a rare genetic disorder called total amelia syndrome.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21- Was Arthur shut away as a child? - His mother would always say to him,
0:37:21 > 0:37:24"Your disability will be your strength in life,"
0:37:24 > 0:37:28which is a pretty incredible thing and quite un-Victorian.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32He was not to be mollycoddled in any way.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34And as soon as he could really sit up, he was in a saddle.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37She had him riding a pony at a very young age
0:37:37 > 0:37:41because I think she felt that would be a great way for him to be mobile.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45John wants to learn more about the remarkable story,
0:37:45 > 0:37:48which could be a centrepiece in the visitor centre.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56Soon, a new generations of Kavanaghs will invade Borris.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Just try one piece, will you, please?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Sara, Morgan, their children and dogs will be moving out of their cottage
0:38:02 > 0:38:04to the big house.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Today, they're going to do some exploring of the 50 rooms.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13We're just going to have a look at a bedroom
0:38:13 > 0:38:15and see maybe who'd like what bedroom.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Everybody has to take their boots off coming in.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Trying not to bring too much mud with them.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24Do you want to come up with us to watch?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Luckily, Tina and Andrew are on hand to keep things in order.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Oh, look, she's come off the lead.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31SHE LAUGHS
0:38:32 > 0:38:37My mother-in-law is amazing. She gets the whole house ready for me!
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Whenever we do a wedding or an event,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42especially as I've just had a baby, so...
0:38:42 > 0:38:44She really has taken all that on board.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Listen, girls, you'll have to be a little bit more careful about your boots.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51I'm really going to miss that if they do move out.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56I'm really going to have to do it all myself now instead.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Morgan's parents are having a cottage on the estate renovated.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02It will be very different from the grand house,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05which has been home for 40 years.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07I won't feel like I've left Borris at all, you see.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I'm only going to be 100 yards away.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13And I'm still going to be here in this place.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18I can still walk in the same places that I walk every day anyway
0:39:18 > 0:39:21and the family hopefully will be still here.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25I don't think it'll bother me in the least.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28In fact, I'm quite looking forward to the new place!
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- Do you mind sleeping here? Will all three of you sleep in here?- No.
0:39:35 > 0:39:41- Do you want your own room?- I want my own room too.- Do you?- Yeah.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Yeah, me too.- You might be scared sleeping on your own.- Hmm!
0:39:45 > 0:39:49Well, maybe if you shared with Minna and Ellie shared with Charlie.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Can I sleep on my own bed?
0:39:51 > 0:39:54OK. Come on.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Pick up the blanket. You're dropping the blanket.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Can I sleep in Daddy's room?
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Their daddy is downstairs in the dining room with John,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11who's asked oriental ceramics specialist Alastair Gibson
0:40:11 > 0:40:14to look at pieces collected by Lady Harriet.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20- How come your ceramics are in such bad condition? - MORGAN LAUGHS
0:40:20 > 0:40:22What's happened in your house?
0:40:22 > 0:40:25You've been having wild Irish parties over the years with your ancestors?
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Um, I think what you see there
0:40:28 > 0:40:33- is a small remnant of the original collection.- Right. OK.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36- Lady Harriet collected a lot of porcelain.- Mm-hm.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40During the Troubles, 1920s, there was a lot of damage done.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44Well, these two pieces have a little bit of damage.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Here we're looking at a couple of vases
0:40:46 > 0:40:48which we'll date to the mid-17th century.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51They were made in the kilns in Jingdezhen, southern China,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54which is arguably like Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58Sadly, as you can see, they do have a bit of damage.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00We've got a hairline crack on that one on the back.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04So that is going to be a detrimental value factor unfortunately.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08But nonetheless there are still good collectors
0:41:08 > 0:41:12for this type of ware in China and also in the West.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15In terms of commerciality, if these vases had figures
0:41:15 > 0:41:19of beautiful Chinese ladies at leisure in their gardens
0:41:19 > 0:41:23or scholars conducting ceremonies and what have you,
0:41:23 > 0:41:25they would be far more valuable.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- So this decoration keeps the value of these down?- It does.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32People enjoy looking at vases more with figures
0:41:32 > 0:41:34and activities on them
0:41:34 > 0:41:36rather than looking at flowers and foliage.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39In terms of value, had it had figures,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41you'd be looking at more like 10,000-20,000.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43I still think today at auction
0:41:43 > 0:41:46you're going to be looking at 3,000-5,000 for that.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48- So is this sterling or euro? - Sterling, I'm afraid.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51This one a little bit less.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I'm going to put a modest £1,000-1,500 on that for you.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58- I can see you're not that impressed.- No.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Um, I mean, I was hoping for something a bit stronger than that.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- Um.- It's still three grand more. - Yeah, but...
0:42:06 > 0:42:11They've been here for a long time, they're part of the place.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15Certainly this, I'm going to keep that for £1,500.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17And let the other one go?
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- Yeah, I'll have a think about that. - There's a lot of thinking going on.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25Yeah, there is a lot of thinking going on. But, you know, it's a tough decision to make.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Morgan can be so frustrating to deal with.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32It's like getting blood out of a stone.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36So far we've sold the Sleator self-portrait and we've sold the book.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39We still have the gun and one of Lady Harriet's vases to sell.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42And this should really help our total.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48John's off to London for the gun sale in the company of Morgan.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57Selling at 15. Bid's here at 15 and selling. Last chance. 1,500.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Fair warning to the internet. 15 and selling. Sold for 15.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03The auction is underway at Kensington Barracks.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05Thousands of guns are on view.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Including Morgan's 21st birthday present.
0:43:11 > 0:43:16- Will you be disappointed to see it go?- I would, yeah. I will be disappointed.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19But I suppose two grand will go... you know.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21I hope it's going to make more than that.
0:43:22 > 0:43:23Sold for 900.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Morgan is getting twitchy at John's estimate,
0:43:30 > 0:43:34but auctioneer Nick Holt agrees with it being offered at the right price.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Everybody's got a different type of purse.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42Here we've got £2,000-£3,000 on it.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45Elsewhere you've got £50,000-£70,000.
0:43:45 > 0:43:49But two to three - great price range.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53- It's a very usable gun.- Is the gun market a bit flat at the moment?
0:43:53 > 0:43:57I've never known it so good over the last five years
0:43:57 > 0:43:59since Lehman Brothers went under.
0:44:01 > 0:44:03We've gone up 25%-30% per sale.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06- And is that because people are investing in guns?- Correct.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09£72,000, then. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11And with the conservative estimate
0:44:11 > 0:44:14that I put on that gun, is that the smart thing to do?
0:44:14 > 0:44:18Always. Keep it a little bit enticing.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21Once the bees have come to the honey, then the hands go out.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Sold for £18,000.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28Upstairs, Morgan has cold feet. He wants to increase the reserve.
0:44:30 > 0:44:36- You can't go changing estimates at this point.- Right. - What do you think?
0:44:36 > 0:44:38I'd be very disappointed for two.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42I just don't believe we can change it at this point. Shall we see what happens?
0:44:48 > 0:44:50No option now.
0:44:52 > 0:44:53Morgan is not happy.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56He has a case of serious pre-sale nerves
0:44:56 > 0:44:58but it's too late to back out.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02- The gun's about to go under the hammer.- 4170.
0:45:02 > 0:45:08Lot number 1443 is a fine piece. It's the Joseph Lang and Son.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11- See where he starts. - I've got interest in this, ladies and gentlemen.
0:45:11 > 0:45:15I'm going to start the bidding at £2,000. £2,000 there.
0:45:15 > 0:45:20- 2,000. 2,100 with me. - It's a bidding war.
0:45:20 > 0:45:243,400. 3,500. 3,600.
0:45:24 > 0:45:31- Quickly up to 4,000.- 3,800. 3,900. 4,000. 4,100.- That's good.
0:45:31 > 0:45:344,100. £4,200.
0:45:34 > 0:45:40- Three new bidders.- Excellent.- 4,400. 4,500.- They're battling now.- Yeah.
0:45:40 > 0:45:464,600, 4,700. £4,800. The bid is on the telephone.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48At £4,800.
0:45:48 > 0:45:55Fair warning to the internet. I'm going, sir, 4,800. Sold for £4,800.
0:45:55 > 0:45:58- That's brilliant. - Nearly gave me a heart attack.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02The gun sold for £4,320 after commission.
0:46:02 > 0:46:03A big boost to the funds.
0:46:05 > 0:46:11Yeah, it was good. Considering how much you downplayed it beforehand.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14The thing is, I didn't want you to get your hopes up. And because...
0:46:14 > 0:46:19- who knows what's going to happen in there?- Yeah.- I must say, it was...
0:46:19 > 0:46:22I mean, I was sitting there thinking, "Please, God, let it go off."
0:46:22 > 0:46:25- And it did.- Yeah.- There were a couple of people fighting on it.
0:46:25 > 0:46:28- And...- The five would have been nice, but, you know.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31You see, you're a hard man to please.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34Sold for £18,000.
0:46:35 > 0:46:41Whilst in London, John and Morgan want to learn more about Arthur Kavanagh.
0:46:49 > 0:46:55Historian Turtle Bunbury will help Morgan design the Arthur exhibit in the visitor centre.
0:46:55 > 0:47:00Central to the story will be Arthur's incredible 4,000-mile trek
0:47:00 > 0:47:02mainly on horseback.
0:47:02 > 0:47:07The journey took Arthur from Ireland to Sweden, then on to Persia.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09A remarkable feat in itself
0:47:09 > 0:47:12but unparalleled by anyone born without arms and legs.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16It was bandit country around here. Pretty treacherous mountains.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18It's quite arid desert in other areas.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20And right on to India.
0:47:20 > 0:47:25Arthur had a very bad fever at one point and ended up waking up in a harem.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28- That doesn't sound that bad. - He seemed quite happy.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32Returning to Ireland, he took over the reins at Borris,
0:47:32 > 0:47:36married Frances and had seven children,
0:47:36 > 0:47:38and finally became a politician.
0:47:38 > 0:47:411866 he ends up as MP for County Wexford
0:47:41 > 0:47:45and he's basically in parliament here at Westminster till 1880,
0:47:45 > 0:47:47so 14, 15 years in parliament.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52His maiden speech was about reforming the Poor Laws.
0:47:52 > 0:47:56And this is a report which they produced in parliament afterwards.
0:47:56 > 0:48:00"In an instant, every eye in the house was turned towards the back seat
0:48:00 > 0:48:02"where the honourable member for Carlow sat,
0:48:02 > 0:48:03"cool and collected,
0:48:03 > 0:48:07"and in the course of a speech of some 12 minutes' duration
0:48:07 > 0:48:12"he exhibited an intimate knowledge of the question under discussion."
0:48:12 > 0:48:14Mr Kavanagh was loudly cheered.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18His main interest was the Irish land situation.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21He passionately believed in the landlord system, but a benevolent one.
0:48:21 > 0:48:23He had no time for absenteeism.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26He was a very good landlord in his own area.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34Yes, I mean, coming here today, it's given me a wonderful feeling
0:48:34 > 0:48:36of what my great-great-great-grandfather
0:48:36 > 0:48:38achieved in his life,
0:48:38 > 0:48:41how he overcame his disabilities
0:48:41 > 0:48:44and, you know, to achieve being a member of parliament
0:48:44 > 0:48:47and to thrive in parliament.
0:48:51 > 0:48:55Arthur Kavanagh died in London on Christmas Day, 1889.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57He was brought back to Borris
0:48:57 > 0:49:00and buried in a family graveyard on the estate.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02A simple monument was later erected in the village.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09It looks a bit insignificant
0:49:09 > 0:49:12and you see in towns and cities monuments much grander
0:49:12 > 0:49:16to people who have achieved half of what Arthur achieved.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20And I really think we need to bring his story to the forefront
0:49:20 > 0:49:24and the history centre is the perfect place to do it.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33With nearly three-quarters of the £20,000 target secured,
0:49:33 > 0:49:38preliminary work has just begun on the old laundry.
0:49:38 > 0:49:42Had a good clear-out. You can see the shape of the room.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44The architect has been out.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47Um, she's bringing down the structural engineer, hopefully, this week,
0:49:47 > 0:49:52and then sort of schedule the works and put it out to tender
0:49:52 > 0:49:54and hopefully kick on.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58With the target still several thousand sort,
0:49:58 > 0:50:02John needs to search high and low for other items to sell.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09And he's hunting in the bedrooms.
0:50:12 > 0:50:18That is actually a really nice Lionel Edwards watercolour.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23Lionel Edwards is quite a serious artist
0:50:23 > 0:50:26and this is mostly what he was known for -
0:50:26 > 0:50:30fox hunting, racing, anything to do with horse riding, basically.
0:50:30 > 0:50:34I mean, there are problems going on.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36This backboard has been replaced.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39I think the glass has been smashed at some point.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43It's actually scratched the painting there. And here.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46Then only things that are making me worry a little bit is,
0:50:46 > 0:50:48one, the condition, which can be sorted out.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50It's not the end of the world
0:50:50 > 0:50:54But, two, the fact that there's a falling horse and a rider.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56It might just put some people off.
0:50:56 > 0:51:01But he is very collected, so hopefully that will do quite well.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04The watercolour could really boost funds
0:51:04 > 0:51:09but the pressure will be off if Lady Harriet's vase sells well.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11John is eager to see the auction.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15The vase is being sold at an Asian ceramic sale in Scotland.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17I'll start it at £300.
0:51:17 > 0:51:1920. 340. 360. 380. 400...
0:51:19 > 0:51:22The vase is just about to come up
0:51:22 > 0:51:25and out of all of the items that we're selling for Morgan
0:51:25 > 0:51:29I know this one is the one he really doesn't want to let go because,
0:51:29 > 0:51:33after all, Lady Harriet collected this and it's been in the family a long time,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36and I'm just hoping I can give him some good news.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41But close to the sale, John learns some difficult news.
0:51:41 > 0:51:44Morgan was so nervous the vase would go cheaply,
0:51:44 > 0:51:49he asked the auctioneers to increase the bottom estimate from £3,000 to £4,000.
0:51:53 > 0:51:59..Is the transitional blue and white sea vase that you see there.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03Got interest in this. I can start it at £2,200.
0:52:03 > 0:52:04Not a good start.
0:52:04 > 0:52:06There's no interest in the room
0:52:06 > 0:52:08and no activity either on the phones or internet.
0:52:08 > 0:52:12It just doesn't seem to appeal.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15It's not sold.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18I don't know why that didn't sell.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21Nothing on the phones, nothing on the internet.
0:52:21 > 0:52:24I just think maybe it was estimated too high.
0:52:24 > 0:52:25£150. Are you all done?
0:52:25 > 0:52:27That's just a bomb.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30John has to break the disappointing news.
0:52:33 > 0:52:35'John, how are you? Do you have good news for me?'
0:52:35 > 0:52:39Er, it's not so good news, no.
0:52:39 > 0:52:44- 'Damn.'- Yeah. The vase didn't sell.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47- 'The vase didn't sell?'- No.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49'Damn. I thought it would sell. Didn't you?'
0:52:49 > 0:52:53Everything in the sale that was estimated at 200-300
0:52:53 > 0:52:56was making 2,000 and 3,000 and I think that's the problem.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59Like when we've spoken before, you've got to pitch it low
0:52:59 > 0:53:01and let it make its own mark.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05- You estimate things too high, you get in trouble.- 'Right.'
0:53:05 > 0:53:09All right, Morgan, listen, we'll speak soon. Speak to you later.
0:53:09 > 0:53:10Bye.
0:53:15 > 0:53:16Yeah, he's not happy.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18You can tell.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20There's no messing around with Morgan
0:53:20 > 0:53:23and he's so easy to read and I can tell he wasn't happy.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26And I'm not happy. Frankly, it's really irritating.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29All that time and effort, and just coming to the auction
0:53:29 > 0:53:32and then you get nothing. It's a real downer.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35There's highs and lows and, I tell you, the highs can be great.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37This was a low.
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Thank you very much. 700.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43If Morgan had taken John's advice,
0:53:43 > 0:53:47the visitor centre may have been several thousand pounds richer.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50£2,000. 2,200. 2,400...
0:53:50 > 0:53:55There are two crucial sales to go - the bronze and the watercolour.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59The last chance to make up funds.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01With the big event at Borris approaching,
0:54:01 > 0:54:04John will take the news of the final total to the family.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09Borris is hosting a country game fair,
0:54:09 > 0:54:11a first, and important, event at the house.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18It's a massive deal.
0:54:18 > 0:54:2210,000 people have come from all over Ireland and Britain.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25It's a big boost to the house's profile.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30This is the type of event that we really want to get to Borris.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32It's going to bring in significant numbers
0:54:32 > 0:54:37and it's going to bring in significant income, we hope, in the next few years.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41For now, though, the family is grabbing every opportunity
0:54:41 > 0:54:44to make some extra money.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47We're hopeful, if the organisers are happy with the event this year,
0:54:47 > 0:54:50that they will come back again next year, you know.
0:54:51 > 0:54:55John returns with the results of the final two sales.
0:54:56 > 0:55:00Have the last items made enough to reach the 20,000 target
0:55:00 > 0:55:02to allow work to start on the visitor centre?
0:55:07 > 0:55:12The bronze came up first and sold, on estimate, for £500.
0:55:13 > 0:55:14Sold at 500.
0:55:15 > 0:55:21And the Lionel Edwards watercolour did even better, selling for 4,300.
0:55:21 > 0:55:264,300. For the last time, £4,300.
0:55:26 > 0:55:30So together the last two Borris antiques sold for 4,320
0:55:30 > 0:55:31after commission.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41So I've got the grand auction total for you,
0:55:41 > 0:55:46which in pounds first comes in at £18,600,
0:55:46 > 0:55:50- which is a thousand less than we were looking for.- That's a shame.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53- Oh, we were so close. - It was the vase.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56If the vase had gone we'd have been fine and we'd have met our target.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59And then converting that into euros,
0:55:59 > 0:56:04after commissions and all that, it comes out at 21,250 euros.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06- So we nearly did it.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08But there is one really good bit of news.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11The County Carlow Development Partnership,
0:56:11 > 0:56:14which looks after tourism and heritage in the area,
0:56:14 > 0:56:16they've been looking at the project
0:56:16 > 0:56:17and they were so excited by it
0:56:17 > 0:56:22that they think you meet all the requirements for grant aid.
0:56:22 > 0:56:27So, not the 50% you were looking for, but actually the 75%.
0:56:27 > 0:56:31That's great. I mean, it makes the whole project really viable
0:56:31 > 0:56:33and, hopefully, you know, when it's up and going,
0:56:33 > 0:56:35it's going to be a real success
0:56:35 > 0:56:39and bring a lot of people to the house and to the area.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41I must say, I've thoroughly enjoyed myself.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43It's been such good fun. Nearly all of it.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45THEY LAUGH
0:56:45 > 0:56:48No, but it's really good. I'm really excited for you.
0:56:48 > 0:56:50Thank you very much for all your help.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53- It's been an absolute pleasure. - It's been great working with you.
0:56:54 > 0:56:59When it's sunk into us now, that's fantastically positive news.
0:56:59 > 0:57:01It makes the whole thing really attractive now
0:57:01 > 0:57:04and hopefully, you know, the whole project
0:57:04 > 0:57:09will be a source of income for years to come.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14I think, before, we couldn't always quite see the wood from the trees.
0:57:14 > 0:57:19And this whole process has really made us focus on the project
0:57:19 > 0:57:23and John has really helped us see the whole story
0:57:23 > 0:57:25and how to pull it together.
0:57:25 > 0:57:29The sale of antiques at Borris, together with an enhanced grant,
0:57:29 > 0:57:33means the Kavanagh family can afford their new visitor centre,
0:57:33 > 0:57:36which should be up and running by next summer.
0:57:36 > 0:57:40On top of that, the game fair has proved a success,
0:57:40 > 0:57:43and Morgan and Sara have been told they can host the event
0:57:43 > 0:57:45for at least the next three years.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55It's really great to see this place looking so vibrant
0:57:55 > 0:57:57and I've grown to love this house.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59And they're such an amazing family.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03But Morgan, I must say, has put me through the wringer at times.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06OK, we didn't quite make our target but we got a good way there.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08This is a historic house
0:58:08 > 0:58:11and the visitor centre will provide an income
0:58:11 > 0:58:14which will protect this place for future generations.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16And that's what I call a result.
0:58:16 > 0:58:22Next time, John steps in to help save this historic Scottish gem.
0:58:22 > 0:58:24It's my grandparents' house.
0:58:24 > 0:58:26This house will fall down
0:58:26 > 0:58:30unless we make money to make sure it's maintained.
0:58:30 > 0:58:31But it won't be easy.
0:58:31 > 0:58:33That is a major blow.
0:58:45 > 0:58:47Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd