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Dáil clock that chimes 'God Save the Queen' is up for auction

 Queen Elizabeth with President D Higgins taking time out. Now a clock that chimes God Save The Queen that ticked in the Oireachtas, is going under the hammer
 Queen Elizabeth with President D Higgins taking time out. Now a clock that chimes God Save The Queen that ticked in the Oireachtas, is going under the hammer  Queen Elizabeth with President D Higgins taking time out. Now a clock that chimes God Save The Queen that ticked in the Oireachtas, is going under the hammer

AN HISTORIC clock that until recently stood in the Dáil and chimes the tune of ‘God Save the Queen’ is expected to fetch up to €90,000 today at auction.

The antique Francis-Johnston Speaker Clock, which is currently owned by Patrick Guinness, a direct descendent of brewery founder Sir Arthur Guinness, is among 725 lots that will go under the hammer at Killashee Hotel in Naas.

Auctioneer Fonsie Mealy describe the mahogany Grandfather clock, which was once owned by GPO and Armagh Conservatory architect Francis Johnston, as “highly important”.

Built by Armagh watchmaker James Waugh, the clock originally stood in Henry Grattan’s parliament in Dublin’s College Green in the 18th century.

The timepiece, which plays eight different tunes at each quarter hour, including the British national anthem, was moved from Dublin when the Irish House of Parliament ceased to exist in 1801.

The Parliament House was sold in 1803 to the Bank of Ireland for £40,000 and Armagh-born Johnston was the architect of alterations that took place to the building between 1804 and 1811.

The 200 year-old clock was initially loaned to the Oireachtas by businessman Frank Kerins in 2007 before being damaged in recent times by the heating system in Leinster House.