Limerick style icon celebrates milestone birthday

MODEL agency CEO and style guru Celia Holman Lee is celebrating her 75th birthday today (December 2, 2025). 

The proud Limerick woman has been working in the fashion industry since she was a teenager and she coached many young models over the years who went on to enjoy major success. 

For a very busy woman, who is often seen on TV and as the face of Limerick at various events, today for her birthday, she is not working and is spending the day with her family and adored grandchildren. 

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To celebrate 60 years in the industry and to mark her 75th birthday, Celia is releasing her book ‘Glamour & Grit’ just in time for Christmas.  

The fashion icon grew up on Carey's Road in Limerick city and now lives in Ballysheedy with her husband Ger, where her two children Ivan and Cecile grew up. 

The Holman Lee model agency was set up in 1972, when Celia was just 22-years-old. Their models have worked at bridal exhibitions, fashion shows, as well as TV. 

Before that, she worked in and managed a chain of boutiques owned by Dermot Farrell, before opening her own boutique ‘Celia Lee's’ on Thomas Street, which traded for almost 20 years. 

Celia herself is regularly seen giving catwalk commentary or fashion advice on RTE's Today Show.