'A visionary and a trailblazer': Tributes paid to well-known Limerick auctioneer

ONE of Limerick's best known auctioneers has been remembered as a "visionary and a trailblazer" following her sad passing.

Geraldine Leddin, the managing director of GL Auctioners and Property Consultants, based at O'Connell Street in the city centre, sadly passed away on Thursday.

She had decades of experience in the property business setting up her practice in Limerick with her former husband John, and latterly working alongside her partner MJ Caffrey.

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Hailing from Meanus, it was Pat Kearney of Rooney Auctioners who gave Geraldine her first job as a secretary in his firm, also in O'Connell Street.

She represented Rooney Auctioneers in the selection contest to become the Limerick Rose in the Rose of Tralee competition.

"She was a hard worker, vivacious. She was creative, she was highly intelligent. She worked very hard to make a decent life for her family. I have lovely memories of her down through the years. We always remained good friends," Pat said.

It was actually at Rooney Auctioneers that Geraldine met her husband John. While she moved to work as a travel agent, the pair reunited to set up their own firm in the mid to late 1970s.

Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler said: "She was more than a force in business. She was a visionary and a trailblazer, building a thriving enterprise in an industry where few women dared to venture, let alone succeed with such grace and determination."

Geraldine ran alongside him in the 2014 local election, the first time both had put their names before the people of Limerick.

"While many of us will know her through GL Auctioneers, those of us who know her best will remember her as a deeply compassionate and generous soul. Geraldine had an infectious zest for life, always bringing laughter to those around her. She was, without question, a pillar of our community. A kind hearted friend to many, an inspiring presence, and a source of strength for so many others," added Cllr Butler.

Three years ago, she sold Labour councillor Conor Sheehan his first house in Corbally.

"She was a character. She had such an effusive charm. She was just a magnificant person and very good at her job. I found her refreshingly straight forward to deal with in terms of an auctioneer. She was a straight shooter and a straight talker," was how the general election candidate remembered her.

"You'd often see her in the Glen Tavern on a Saturday night. She was a lovely woman. I was saddened to hear she was unwell, and I'm shocked to hear she has died," he concluded.

Funeral details have yet to be announced.

May Geraldine rest in peace.