The story of the Beit Collection, since its arrival in Ireland over 50 years ago, features characters from every level of Irish life – from underworld criminals to the landed gentry.
It encompasses revolutionary politics, international art theft rings, Scotland Yard and the FBI.
In 1952 Air Alfred and Lady Beit moved to Russborough House in County Wicklow. They brought with them a unique collection of paintings, including several masterpieces by Vermeer, Goya, Rubens, Gainsborough and Metsu. The collection became known more for its absence than its presence. It was stolen not once but four times between 1974 and 2002.
This is the story.