Under the hammer: top auction sales of 2020

• Author: Elizabeth Birdthistle
• Date: 19 December 2020
• Published date: 19 December 2020

Coronavirus did however force most auction houses to turn to online sales, and the previously unconverted were both surprised and delighted with the results.

Rathmines-based Herman Wilkinson began online sales - a first for the house - in spring, and it hasn't looked back since. Oliver Usher in Kells appeared to be the last of the auctioneers to switch to online sales and he says it was the highlight of his year as it opened up a much wider client base.

O'Reilly's on Francis Street in Dublin hosted a 48-hour timed sale in March which it says was a great success and it is the business model that the auction house will use for the foreseeable future.

And what a year to start a new auction house, but Alan Conway...