In a further sign of improving business sentiment, Sheppard's auctioneers has announced the opening of a Dublin office at 120 Pembroke Road in Ballsbridge. The move will increase competition in the capital's fine art and antiques market.

The family-run firm will continue to hold its auctions in its Durrow, Co Laois saleroom but will use the new office for valuation days and to "provide close and local support to clients in the capital and its contiguous counties".

Philip Sheppard said opening the new office would help to "build our business further and to grow our client-base in Dublin and beyond".

Sheppard’s will hold a series of valuation days in Dublin next week with specialists on hand to provide valuations on Asian art (Tuesday ), paintings (Wednesday), silver and jewellery (Thursday), and books and manuscripts (Friday).

Sheppard’s said some 1,600 items had already been consigned to its first auction of the autumn season, a three-day event. Sheppard’s auction, The Legacy of the Big House, takes place at its Durrow, Co Laois saleroom, September 30th-October 2nd