SIM Auction Reviewed

Another massive turn-out for an Irish magic event gives encouraging signs for the times ahead.  A crowd over forty eager magicians were on hand to be a part of a great night and one of the most fun auctions of recent times.

With over 12 lots to get through it was imperative that auctioneers including your editor here at IMN, Neville Wiltshire, Jack Wise and Pat Fallon together with book keepers Con Ward and Joe Fortune kept the show moving and that they did.

As some of you are aware the SIM were running a special fundraising lot.  Many of those attending donated items to this lot and 100% of monies raised were being matched by the very generous Seamus Hanratty.  This inititiative alone raised close to €800 which will be used to further your enjoyment of Shenanigans, The Irish Magic Convention.  Kudos to you all and as co-organsier of the convention may I express all our heartfelt and genuine appreciation to Mr Seamus Hanratty.

Another man who warrants mention is Maurice Furlong.  Maurice is a relocated Englishman now living in Wexford.  While never a professional magician Maurice was an avid collector of quality magic and brought many high quality items.  He was not however a stickler on his reserves and let some items go for fair but good prices.  Maurices' lot certainly added much to the night.  The headtwister you see in the photo that accompanies this post is just one example.  Maurice also gave very generously to the SIM fundraising lot.

As to the material for sale on the night.  Well it ranged from an old bag of sponge balls selling for €24 to an as new chair suspension selling for €200.  When all the money was counted over €1,900 had changed hands.

Outside of the auction it was great to see all the younger guys sessioning away before things got underway.  The SIM have made a cognitive effort in recent times to encourage more performing, more harmonious relations between all the magicians in the country and better and more dynamic meetings.  This does seem to be bearing fruit and is truly wonderful to see.

Photographs of the night are available for your perusal on our gallery page.