A FRIEND to nigh on eight generations, Ann Sullivan, antique dealer of Nicholas Street, passed away peacefully at Good Counsel Nursing Home after a long illness on Tuesday September 30, 2014.
Ann, who never married and who enjoyed a lively social life until her death bed, was one of the pioneering figures of the 1960s and ’70s in the Mid West. She was prominent in the development of Shannon Airport’s duty free initiative under Brendan O’Regan and the airport’s emergence as a transAtlantic hub.
She worked out of Shannon and then Ireland House on New York’s 5th Avenue for years, before returning to open her antique business – initially in the airport – subsequently on Ellen Street [both sides!] and finally settled in Nicholas Street.
Born to fashionable and entrepreneurial parents Mai and Bing Sullivan in Dublin, private schooling at Miss Meredith’s School and training in the School of Art secured a first job with Sybil Connolly. Ann’s attachment to the finer things in life and ability with arts and collectibles, her great empathy for the lonely and the sick and her irrepressible sense of humour defined a path that embraced all of her friends: princes, paupers, the occasional princess(y) and especially, her godchildren.
Entertainment at her home was by a coal fire, with perfect service on the best of china. No Christmas was complete without Ann’s visit and her beautiful presents; every party was enhanced by her presence – always commanding, sometimes fiery, and deeply kind.
She is survived by her cousin Elizabeth Waters, née Tarrant, and family.
Funeral details are: Thursday October 2, Thompson’s funeral home, 7-8.30pm and on Friday 3, St Mary’s Church, Athlunkard St at 12.30pm followed by cremation in Dublin.
