A tribute to Dr Geraldine Barniville 

Following the passing of Dr Geraldine Barniville, Sport Ireland wants to reflect on a life that left a lasting mark on sport in Ireland.  

Dr Geraldine Barniville (nee Houlihan) was a former member of the board of the Irish Sports Council (now Sport Ireland). 

She served on the boards of the Irish Sports Council (then Cospoir) and National Coaching and Training Centre and become active at a high level in anti-doping and served as a member of the Irish Sports Council’s Anti-Doping Committee from 2005 to 2010. 

Prior to her work in the fields of coaching, administration and sports medicine, she was an international tennis and squash player, who played at Wimbledon several times and at the US Open. She represented Ireland on more than 70 occasions.  

She later turned her hand to squash, becoming the Irish number one at that and playing at a number of world team championships. 

Her association with high-performance sport continued in other facets of her life as well. Dr Barniville was the team doctor to the Irish boxers at the Barcelona Olympics, where Michael Carruth won gold and Wayne McCullough silver. 

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “I worked with Dr Barniville when she was a member of the Anti-Doping Committee Board and she was tremendously giving of both her time and expertise. She had great care and consideration for other people.  

“She was a true trailblazer in the world of Irish sport. She represented her country with distinction in a number of different areas and the Irish Sports Council, as it was then, was lucky to have her. Those exacting standards that she demonstrated in her sporting life were equally applied in the development of sport.”   

Sport Ireland Chairperson John Foley said: “Dr Barniville never gave less than 100% in any area of her life and the same was true of her work with us. We are very proud that for a time she was a member of our board. It is only right that we now recall and acknowledge the great work she did.”         

She was predeceased by her husband, and survived by their three sons, David, Tim and Nick, as well as her brother Jim, sister Susan, her in-laws, nieces and nephews. While her absence is deeply felt by her family and friends, her legacy will endure.