‘True gentleman’: Gavel sadly falls too early for much-loved Limerick auctioneer

THE LATE Danny Deady is in heaven with a gavel in his hand, commanding a mart ring, selling the finest pedigree Friesians and Limousins and still doing the best for sellers and buyers.

The Bruree man has sadly been reunited with another local auctioneering legend - Phil Purcell - and many others whose lives he touched during his 50 years presiding over GVM rings in Abbeyfeale, Dromcolloger, Kilmallock and Rathkeale.

Danny passed away very peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in the exceptional care of all at Milford Care Centre on Friday.

Reposing this Sunday evening, April 13, from 5pm at Daffy's Funeral Home, Kilmallock, followed by evening prayers at 7pm. Removal to arrive on Monday, for noon Requiem Mass at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Bruree, followed by burial afterwards to New Cemetery, Bruree.

Danny is sadly missed by his bereft family, the farming community, GAA, golfing and badminton circles, and in his home and nearby parishes.

Danny kindly gave an interview to the Leader last June after the committee of Dromcollogher Mart held a function and presentation for the popular man (pictured below).

Six calves were auctioned by Danny for Milford Care Centre and as usual he got the best price - they sold for €2,620, over €1,000 more than their normal value.

He said it all started for him in 1975 when he was just 16 and working in a bar in Kilmallock.

“I left school after the Inter Cert and was working over in the 41 which was owned by my aunt. It is owned by Mike Houlihan now. The manager of Kilmallock Mart at the time was Tom Foley.

“He might be in on a Saturday night when it was busy and he might call five or six drinks. I never used the till. I just added it up in my head and charged him whatever. He came in one day and he said, ‘Danny, I notice you never use the till’.

“I said, ‘When we're busy, there's no point - I'm good at maths’. He said, ‘Any chance you would come up to the mart and do some clerking on a Monday?’ I just went up, did a bit of clerking and four or five years after that I started selling, around 1980,” recalled Danny at the time.

The late and great auctioneer Phil Purcell took him under his wing.

“Phil Purcell used to say to me, ‘Danny, if you can sell in the calf ring in Kilmallock, you can handle any ring in Ireland’,” said Danny.

He could handle it and went on to become a top class auctioneer. Danny is highly respected among the farming community for always doing his very best for sellers and buyers. He could spot a wink, a nod or a flick of a finger from a bidder from miles away.

“I was very lucky to fall into something that I loved doing,” he summed up.

Danny knew his fate and the hard road ahead of him which he walked bravely and with immense courage.

Dozens upon dozens of tributes have been paid to Danny and condolences expressed to his family on rip.ie

James O’Connor, chairman of GVM Group said: “He was a valued member of the GVM team, a true gentleman and highly regarded."

Clement McAuliffe, one of the founder members of GVM and who served on the board for 50 years, said: “An outstanding auctioneer who will be greatly missed.”

Another person described Danny as a “lovely, friendly, pleasant gentleman”.

A farmer said: “I will always remember him as the man who sold me my first batch of calves 20 years ago.”

One mourner said: “Danny was at the centre of so much in Bruree and beyond for many many years.” 

Danny’s passing is very deeply regretted by his loving wife Margaret, sons Donal, Patrick and David, daughters-in-law Richella and Clara, brothers Michael and Sean, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, adored grandchildren Hollie and Adam, nephews. nieces, cousins, relatives, very kind neighbours and a large circle of friends.

May he rest in peace.