A 1978 Kenner Star Wars figure in one lot, a 22ct quarter sovereign in the next: that mix is what collectables auctions in Northern Ireland do best. Sales run across Belfast, Armagh and the mid-Ulster towns, with houses such as Belfast Auctions, The Mill Auctions and Scarva Auctions holding mixed antiques-and-collectables sales you can bid on in the room or online. The collectables auctions in Northern Ireland page keeps the live calendar, so you always see what’s coming up next.
This is a practical local guide: where these sales happen, what turns up on the rostrum, how bidding works both in-room and online, and what to check before you commit. General UK auction practice is drawn from the trade; anything specific to a named house or sale comes only from what’s listed on Auction Eagle.
Where can I find collectables auctions in Northern Ireland?
Most activity clusters around Belfast and Armagh, with rooms in towns like Scarva, Lurgan and Ballybogey. The quickest way to see live dates is the Northern Ireland auctions hub, which lists sales as they’re published, or the wider collectables auctions hub covering the whole UK.
The houses listing collectables sales in the province include:
- Buy Sell Trade Auction House in Armagh — the busiest by volume.
- The Mill Auctions on the Beersbridge Road in east Belfast.
- Mybids Ltd, also in Armagh.
- Belfast Auctions at Duncrue Crescent in County Antrim.
- Scarva Auctions near Craigavon.
- Locke’s Auctioneers in Belfast.
- Auctions NI at the Annesborough estate in Lurgan.
- North Coast Auctions at Ballybogey in County Antrim.
To browse further afield, you can browse every UK auction house or start from the Auction Eagle home page.
What typically comes up in these sales?
These are true general collectables sales — a bit of everything, priced to move. Grouping the real catalogue titles that appear makes it easier to know what to watch for.
Jewellery and silver
A steady vein runs through most sales: a Multi Bar pendant necklace, a flower pendant on chain, rhodium-plated earrings, a detailed brooch, a large religious cross and a sterling silver 925 tennis bracelet. Hallmarked silver and gold-content pieces reward study — weight and marks matter as much as looks. There’s a dedicated jewellery auctions in Northern Ireland hub if that’s your focus.
Coins and bullion
Small but keen category: a cased coin set, a 22ct quarter sovereign, a 1oz silver coin and a US Morgan dollar. Sovereigns and bullion track metal prices, while a Morgan dollar draws collectors chasing dates and mint marks. Follow the coins and banknotes auctions in Northern Ireland hub to catch these.
Watches
Entry-level and vintage names appear regularly — a vintage Lorus and a Rotary among them. Condition, originality and whether it runs decide value; the watches auctions in Northern Ireland hub gathers more.
Toys, film and pop culture
This is where the fun lots hide. A 1978 vintage Kenner Star Wars Luke X-Wing Pilot Gear action figure is exactly the kind of thing that pulls national bidders, alongside Close Encounters of the Third Kind memorabilia, a PlayStation 4 game and even an advertising mouse mat. Original packaging and completeness drive prices with vintage toys.
Vinyl, music and curios
Records surface often — a CD music lot and Foster and Allen vinyl on the folk side — plus vintage badges, a military badge, a penknife, a large Scottish tin and an outdoor-survival hardback. See the vinyl and music auctions in Northern Ireland hub for more of the same.
How do I bid, in-room and online?
Nearly all of these sales run as Online & In Person, so you have three routes. You can attend and bid from the floor; leave an absentee (commission) bid at your maximum and let the auctioneer execute it; or bid live online through the platform — most of these houses use easyLive Auction. Register before the sale, add a card, and bid in real time from home.
A sale like the General Auction including Antiques & Collectables at Scarva Auctions, on the Old Mill Road near Craigavon in County Down, is a good template — viewing on the day of the sale, with lots to be collected the following day. Note the house’s own line that all queries are answered on the day before the auction starts. The live Scarva catalogue shows the running order.
Belfast is well served too. A sale like Antiques and Collectables at Belfast Auctions on Duncrue Crescent shows the typical city-room format, with an online catalogue you can bid through.
Over in east Belfast, a sale like Antiques & Collectables at The Mill Auctions runs a midday start rather than an evening one — worth checking, as start times vary by house. Its Mill Auctions catalogue lists the lots in full.
How much are the fees?
Budget beyond the hammer price. Expect a buyer’s premium — a percentage added to the winning bid — plus VAT on that premium, and often a small online-bidding surcharge if you use a third-party platform. Rates vary between houses, so read each sale’s terms before you register. If a lot carries a reserve, it won’t sell below it; our guide to what a reserve price means explains how that works. For the wider picture on prices and demand, the UK auction market report is a useful reference.
A checklist for your first sale
- View first. Attend the preview or study the online photos closely — condition is rarely described in full.
- Set a ceiling. Decide your maximum including premium and VAT, and stick to it.
- Register early. Sort your card and buyer number before the sale opens.
- Check collection. Some houses want lots removed within a day, and there’s little storage.
- Ask on the day. Several rooms answer queries only before the sale starts, so arrive with your questions ready.
Where to go next on Auction Eagle
Bookmark the collectables auctions in Northern Ireland page and follow the houses whose stock suits you — the calendar refreshes as new sales are listed. If your taste runs to bigger pieces, the furniture auctions in Northern Ireland hub and our UK furniture buyer’s guide are worth a look, while collectors comparing regions may enjoy our West Yorkshire collectables guide and the ceramics and porcelain buyer’s guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are collectables auctions held in Northern Ireland?
Mainly in Belfast and Armagh, with sales also in Scarva, Lurgan and Ballybogey. Active houses include Belfast Auctions, The Mill Auctions, Scarva Auctions, Buy Sell Trade Auction House and Mybids Ltd. The Northern Ireland auctions hub on Auction Eagle lists live dates.
How do I bid at a Northern Ireland collectables auction?
Bid in the room, leave an absentee (commission) bid at your maximum, or bid live online — most houses here use easyLive Auction. Register beforehand and add a payment card. Sales are typically listed as Online & In Person.
What sells at these auctions?
General collectables: jewellery and hallmarked silver, coins and small bullion, vintage watches, vinyl and CDs, militaria and badges, plus vintage toys such as original Kenner Star Wars figures and film memorabilia.
What fees do buyers pay?
Expect a buyer's premium added to the hammer price, VAT on that premium, and sometimes an online-bidding surcharge. Exact rates vary by house, so always read each sale's terms before registering.
What is a reserve price?
A reserve is the minimum a seller will accept; the lot won't sell below it, and stays unsold if bidding falls short. Many lower-value collectable lots are offered with no reserve.
Where can I see upcoming sales?
Use the collectables auctions in Northern Ireland page on Auction Eagle for the live calendar, or the wider Northern Ireland auctions hub. Following individual houses alerts you when new sales are listed.
