Jim Holmes Class of 1976 RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jim Holmes, Class of 1976 and Union President 2007 to 2008.
After leaving Rockwell, Jim studied accounting in the College of Commerce, Rathmines (now TUD). His first job was with fellow Rockwellian, Andy Butler (Class of 1961). From there he went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. Jim held senior positions in utilities, retail distribution, and international investment management. His career included guiding the successful due diligence of a major takeover and serving as both Financial Director and Managing Director of the Irish administration office of an international property fund managing €1.25 billion in assets. Jim also held a Diploma in Legal Studies from the Dublin Institute of Technology and was a proud member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Jim joined GARLAND where Brian Kavanagh (Class of 1982) was a director, in October 2008 as Company Accountant and was later appointed Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. In this role, he provided steady leadership across their finance, human resources, and treasury functions, contributing greatly to the strength and stability of the company. Jim was instrumental in guiding GARLAND through the challenging years of the economic downturn following 2008, including the most difficult period around 2010.
Jim ( centre) was a great supporter of the Union and attended many Union events.
Jim was heavily involved in the Rockwell College Union from the 1990’s, right up to the present day. Along with supporting the College activities, he was responsible for the production of the Union Diary for a number of years. He served as Union President for the years 2007/08. He continued to attend events throughout the country and in London and Paris and most recently the Park Run in Herbert Park with his dog, Roxy.
He was dedicated supporter of Rockwell, Ireland, Leinster, and St. Mary’s RFC, and travelled widely to support them all. Jim will be famous for the phrase “championship minutes", indicating the importance of the 10 minutes either side of half-time. He remarked at one point that he had attended well over 200 “Test Matches” over the years.
Jim had been making retirement plans for this year, and we are truly saddened that he and his wife, Bernie, will not be able to enjoy this next stage of their loving partnership. He is pre-deceased by his brother Tom (Class of 1965). We extend our deepest sympathies to Bernie and sons, David and Bernard, sister Helen and wide circle of family and friends. He will be profoundly missed,
Jim Pictured at the Union Centenary Dinner in Rockwell in May 2025
Reposing in Fanagans Funeral Home, Dundrum, D14 F3X2 on Monday evening (25th August 2025 ) from 5pm to 7pm.
Removal on Tuesday morning (26th August 2025) to the Church of the Divine Word, Marlay Grange arriving for Funeral Mass at 11.30am followed by burial in Mount Venus Cemetery.
Funeral Details on RIP.ie HERE
Jim's Funeral Mass can be viewed live on this link https://www.marleygrangeparish.ie/our-parish/webcam/
May he rest in peace