Merlin Car Auctions Ireland

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Norman's 80th Birthday

Classic Car Auction Held in Honour of Ireland’s Most Renowned Auctioneer on His 80th Birthday

Norman Colfer was born in New Ross in 1928 where he was educated in Glenstal Abbey School. His education continued in Trinity College where he studied law. It was during this time he decided that auctioneering was his passion and he then turned his studies to specialise in auctioneering with Smith Griffin

After his studies Norman moved to Kells to manage for J.C Brady and became the auctioneer to several cattle salesyards some of which included: Kells, Kingscourt, Trim, Oldacastle, Navan and Carnaross.

Following his passion of horse racing Norman became the manager of Fairyhouse Racecourse in 1968, a post he successfully held for 20 years, during which time he also took on the Dundalk Racecourse. It was also around this time he was elected a member of the I.N.H.S and then subsequently the Turf Club. He also held the position of vice chairman and secretary of the A.I.R (Association of Irish Racecourses) for several years. He is still an acting steward at many race meetings throughout the country.

It was in 1974 that Merlin Car Auctions (then Windsor) came into being with Norman at its helm. Now 34 years on and celebrating his 80th birthday, Norman still wields the gavel and has been responsible for an astounding 1 million vehicle sales at auction..

Besides vehicle auctioneering Norman has auctioned across several industries, the most notable being Goffs and Thos. Adams in Blackrock, which he still does today.

Norman is one of the most infamous auctioneers in Ireland and a pinnacle of the entire industry and Merlin only saw it fitting to hold a specialist auction in his honour. On his 80th birthday, July 16th, Merlin Car Auctions hosted a classic car auction where Norman took to the podium and did what he has done for over 50 years and oversaw the entire auction.

It promisesd to be a memorable night and it certainly didn't fall short of any expectations. Mid-auction a birthday cake was driven in on a vintage Bentley and everyone there was delighted to celebrate with Norman on his momentous night. After the auction finished, the celebrations continued to the wee hours of the morning.