A LIMITED edition photograph of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is the unlikely highlight of a summer art auction in west Cork. The famous image was taken in September 1980 when the 19-year-old aristocrat had just been linked romantically to Prince Charles and posed for press photographers at a kindergarten in central London, where she worked.

She was soon to become Princess of Wales, a global household name, and the most ruthlessly photographed woman in history. The picture was taken by John Minihan, the Athy, Co Kildare-born photographer – best-known for his portrait photos of playwright Samuel Beckett – who was based in Fleet Street at the time and now lives in west Cork.

The photograph, described as No 1 of a limited edition of 35 prints, is estimated at €700-€1,000. It will go under the hammer in Morgan O’Driscoll’s fine art auction at 3pm on Monday afternoon in Skibbereen. The 160 lots include paintings targeted at holidaymakers, such as scenes of west Cork by artists Aidan Bradley, Gerry Tudhope and Marie Driscoll. Many paintings have estimates under €500. Viewing throughout the weekend.