UL Foundation Mourns the Passing of Dr Gordon Holmes
published on Jan 21st, 2011
Directors and staff at the UL Foundation were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a dear friend, supporter and colleague, Dr Gordon Holmes.
Dr Holmes co-founded Holmes O'Malley Sexton in 1970 and was Managing Partner (until 2000) and Chairman. He was former State Solicitor for Limerick City (1969 - 1980) and also held many additional government posts including Solicitor to the Attorney General. He had many professional affiliations over the years, which included Chairman, Commission on Intoxicating Liquor Licensing, Chairman, Garda Siochána Complaints Board and Chairman, Parole Board in the Republic of Ireland.
Dr Holmes was a Board Member of the UL Foundation from 1990 and was a former Chairman of the UL Foundation. He was extremely involved in recruiting local business figures to support the University over the years and was instrumental in raising funds for the Kemmy Business School and the Glucksman Library. Holmes O'Malley Sexton also generously supported the Foundation and University through the Holmes O'Malley Sexton Endowed Scholarships, the Plassey Society, as well as other initiatives. Over the years, he continued to be an avid supporter of UL and recently attended the launch of the first School of Law moot courtroom in Ireland at the University. The outstanding contribution of Dr Gordon Holmes to Irish society was acknowledged in 2005 when the University conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
UL President Professor Don Barry, speaking on behalf of the UL Community said, “Dr Holmes will be missed by all of us at UL, he was a stalwart supporter of this institution and we appreciated greatly his guidance and advice. He gave so generously of his time in promoting and ensuring our success, his passing is a great loss to UL and to Limerick city”.
UL Foundation Chief Executive David Cronin, along with the directors and staff of the Foundation, offer sincere condolences to Dr Holmes' widow, Hilary, along with his children Keith, Valerie, Melanie and Gordon Jnr.