Religious institutions have historically been the repositories of significant artworks and antiques. Indeed, the rediscovery of important paintings in ecclesiastical settings has often made headlines around the world. Readers, for instance, will recall how The Taking of Christ, an early 17th century painting by Italian artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, was discovered in the diningroom of a Jesuit house on Leeson Street, Dublin, in 1990. The painting, now on permanent loan to the National Gallery, had been incorrectly attributed to a Dutch artist. The Taking of Christ was owned by Dr Maria Lea-Wilson, who later donated it to the Jesuit order in thanks for their spiritual support following the assassination of her husband, Capt Percival Lea-Wilson, in 1920. Authenticated by art historians, it has been displayed in the National Gallery since 1993. Now, Victor Mee auctioneers is excited to have discovered a significant painting by Sir John Lavery (1856-1941) in a Belfast convent. It was part of a consignment for their June auction of furniture and decorative arts from five former convents in Belfast and Newry, Co Down. The painting is a smaller version of the Madonna of the Lakes triptych altarpiece in St Patrick’s Church, Belfast. It is believed to have been presented by the artist to Fr John O’Neill, the administrator of the church, in 1919 when the original triptych was unveiled. When Fr O’Neill died in 1960, he bequeathed the painting to the Sisters of Mercy in Crumlin Road, Belfast, where it remained for more than 60 years. Madonna of the Lakes by John Lavery (€5,000-€10,000), for sale by Victor Mee auctioneers at the Sisters of Mercy convent, Newry Lavery, who was a renowned portrait painter and war artist, was baptised in St Patrick’s Church, on Belfast’s Donegall Street. For the Madonna of the Lakes painting now for sale (€5,000-€10,000), he used his wife, Hazel, his daughter, Eileen, and his stepdaughter, Alice, as models for the Madonna, St Brigid and St Patrick.The Victor Mee auction, which will be held in the former Sisters of Mercy convent on Catherine Street, in Newry, from June 9th-11th, also has antique clocks, 18th and 19th century furniture – including fine examples of Killarney arbutus wood – and chalices. These include two rare 19th century Irish gold ciboriums (lidded chalices used in religious ceremonies), which were also discovered in the Convent of Mercy in Newry. The intricately decorated 22-carat gold pieces have individual estimates of €30,000-€40,000.There are also musical instruments among the 1,700 lots, including two violins, a cello, a bass trombone, a grand piano and several harps made by Belfast craftsman James McFall, including the “Armagh harp” (€2,000-€4,000). Meanwhile, viewing of Adam’s At Home auction on June 9th and 10th, takes place today/tomorrow (1pm-5pm) and Monday/Tuesday (10am-5pm) in the showrooms on St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. Silver helmet-shaped sugar bowl (€3,000-€5,000) by John Gibson around, Adam’s At Home auction Turkish wool runner (€500-€800), Adam’s At Home auction The first day of Adam’s auction will focus on Irish and continental silverware. A silver helmet-shaped sugar bowl (€3,000-€5,000), made by Cork-based silversmith John Gibson in around 1790, and a pair of silver sauce boats (€4,500-€5,500), made by another Cork-based silversmith, John Warner, around 1795, are among the pieces that will attract collectors of fine historic silverware. There is an impressive range of both modern and antique Turkish, Afghan and Persian rugs and runners in the second day of the Adam’s At Home auction. These include a Turkish wool runner with an estimate of €500-€800.54th St New York April 1979 (€650 unframed; €725 framed) by Eamon Carr as part of his photography exhibition, Visions of America 1978-1979 in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin from June 12-19. Any Irish person who lived in or visited America in the 1970s and 1980s will be fascinated by the photography exhibition Visions of America 1978-1979, in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin from June 12th-19th.The black and white photographs on show were taken by musician, journalist and author Eamon Carr while on tour in the United States with Irish folk-rock group Horslips. Richly observed with an outsider’s eye, the photographs bring a documentary-style perspective to urban and rural America. The idea for the show emerged following the digitalisation of Carr’s long-unseen film negatives. A limited-edition book, Almost Made This Place My Own (Hi Tone Books €30), is published to coincide with the exhibition, which could – with the photographs – become collectors’ items in the future. The exhibition, mounted by So Fine Art Editions in The Music Room at Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, is open from 10am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, and 11am-5pm on Saturday. The photographs on show include 54th St New York April 1979 (€650 unframed; €725 framed), and a photo of a young Eamon Carr, Self Portrait, Wearing Peter Tosh’s Headgear, March 1979 (€650 unframed). Finally, a world-record price of €1.375 million – almost seven times its upper estimate – was achieved for the Belfast-born Gerard Dillon’s painting Tea Party at Adam’s art auction on May 27th. The original estimate was between €150,000 and €200,000. The highest previous price paid for a Dillon painting was £378,000 (€413,815) for The Dreamer, which was sold by Sotheby’s in London in 2020.[ ‘Amazingly fantastic’: Painting by Irish artist Gerard Dillon sells for record €1.375mOpens in new window ] An oil painting set in a cottage in Connemara, Tea Party depicts several of the artist’s close friends, as well as the artist himself, sitting around a table. It was first exhibited in 1955 at the Irish Exhibition of Living Art in Dublin. It was sold by Adam’s as part of the art collection of Frank and Reeta Hughes from Warrenpoint, Co Down. Victormeeauctions.ie; adams.ie; sofinearteditions.com; powerscourtcentre.ie What did it sell for?Cubist Trees by Mary Swanzy Cubist Trees, Mary SwanzyEstimate: €15,000-€20,000Hammer price:€70,000Auction house: deVeresAndy Warhol Moonwalk screen print Moonwalk screen printEstimate: €200,000-€300,000Hammer price:€190,000Auction house: deVeresPlaster death mask of James Joyce James Joyce death maskEstimate: €3,500-€4,500Hammer price: €2,700Auction house: Purcell’sTea Party by Gerard Dillon Tea Party, Gerard DillonEstimate: €150,000-€200,000Hammer price: €1.375mAuction house: Adam’s