In addition to 270 wall and mantel clocks and pocket watches, the auction has 31 longcase clocks, also referred to as grandfather clocks.

The late owner had a lifelong interest for creating the collection. "What makes this auction interesting is that there are some very rare clocks and some that are much more affordable and less rare," stated auctioneer Rody Keighery of RJ Keighery Antiques.

Following the merger of two private clock collections owned by collectors David Boles and Colman Curran, the Irish Museum of Time opened its doors in Waterford in June 2021.


The two-story Greyfriars Church in Waterford City is home to Ireland's sole horological museum. It has some of the world's oldest Irish watches, table clocks, and longcase clocks.

"There is a great interest in this particular auction, we can see a new cohort of bidders from all across the world," said Keighery.

"We have bidders registered from all around Europe, including the USA, France, and the UK. We anticipate a full house [today] with bids from all around Ireland," he stated.

"We have one clock by Thomas Cahill, circa 1770; there was just eight of these clocks sold since then by auction, we're lucky to have one," he stated.

According to him, costs will differ based on the situation, the work, and the state of the pieces. The entire collection is thought to be worth about €50,000.