IPAV president recalls Pat’s advice from 25 years ago

Fintan McGill, president of the IPAV, was among the guests at the Davitt and Davitt event on Friday, and in his remarks he said he was delighted to be there. “I suppose I’ve got to take you back 25 years, because I came down here 25 years ago and I said (to Pat Davitt) I’m thinking of going into the auctioneering business. You told me, ‘yes, go on, go ahead’.”

To laughs from the guests, Pat interjected: “I did not! I told you not to go into it, and if you were going to, not to come into Mullingar!”

Laughing, Fintan continued: “I never thought 25 years later I’d be here, and it’s great to be here. I’ve known Pat over those years, and he’s done huge things, not just for Davitt and Davitt – he’s done huge things for the auctioneering business in the whole of Ireland. He brought in TEGOVA (see below) single handed, and it has helped the auctioneering business throughout the whole country. It’s a complete credit to him. He also was president, twice (of the IPAV) and he’s just retired as CEO. He’s driven the IPAV over the last 10 years to be a fantastic organisation.

“I just wanted to say, Pat, on behalf of everybody, the best of luck. Thank you very much.

• TEGOVA, the European Group of Valuers Associations, represent 70000 qualified valuers, self-employed or employed by specialist consultancies, private sector companies, government departments or financial institutions both local and international. They draft and promote European Valuation Standards (EVS) for adoption across Europe, and recommending a standard approach to valuation methodologies.

• The IPAV is the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers. The current CEO is Genevieve McGuirk, who was unable to be present for the event on Friday.