Ever wonder what does Victorian actually mean or how to maintain the finish on your Georgian table? Or are you thinking of investing in an antique piece and don't know where to start? The Irish Antique Dealers Association (IADA) aims to answer these and other questions during its first National Antiques Week,
May 19th-26th. The nationwide event, at various members' premises, includes talks, advisory sessions, shop tours and workshop visits.

IADA spokesman and Art Deco expert Niall Mullen, whose shop in Dublin's Francis Street is one of the venues, said the event will "focus on all that is great about antiques, conservation and heritage" and "make antiques and our shops more accessible".

Venues include Daly Antique Services, Greenhill Business Park, Tallaght, Dublin which will host a workshop exhibition about furniture restoration; Straffan Antiques in Co Kildare will host a lecture on furniture conservation; and Timepiece Antiques, Patrick Street, Dublin for a lecture on collectible Irish clocks.

All events are free but must be booked in advance. See iada.ie.