Nineteen sixty-seven proved to be yet another boom year in the antique trade in Ireland and indeed throughout the whole world. Devaluation came and, instead of prices slipping, they increased with surprisingly rapidity, with silver alone increasing by 15 per cent. Many people in Ireland have now realized that antiques are a sound investment and consequently we have seen some of our major works remain in these islands. Nineteen sixty-seven was also the first year of this Guide and it has helped to introduce collectors and dealers to business they did not know about previously. The size of the book has been increased this year to include a guide to all country houses and museums open to the public in Ireland. Most of our museums and galleries contain treasures of immense importance and are extremely varied with something of interest for all types of collectors. It is hoped that this Guide will again be of assistance to both the collector and dealer, and indeed to the general tourist who may be interested in finding the past. [From the Introduction]