A group of local, amateur detectives in the Kilwaughter Castle Restoratiion Group is hot on the trail of a collection of missing portraits which once graced the walls of that historic building.

They are appealing to members of the public to help them track them down so that they can be photographed and identified.

Group member Linda Hooke said: “Someone, somewhere out there just might have the vital clue as to the paintings whereabouts. The last report we have was that were put into storage at the beginning of Worl War 2 but the auction house involved has no knowledge of what happened to them next.

"Some were returned to the Balzani family who eventually inherited the castle, but others were not.”

Caption: Historian, Jacqueline Agnew, on the trail of the lost portraits.

placeholder image — Caption: Historian, Jacqueline Agnew, on the trail of the lost portraits.

acqueline Agnew, added: “The paintings’ value lies in their local, historic value. Most were painted well before the advent of photography so the portraits are the only images available of generations of the Agnew family.

"We know a lot about the Agnews but little of their appearance. It would be wonderful to put a face to the many stories we have discovered about them.

So, anyone who thinks they can help in the hunt for these works of art is urged to contact the “Save Kilwaughter Castle Facebook” page or more privately email [email protected].