Celia Holman Lee’s new lease of life
Celia Holman Lee tells Siobhán Breatnach how lockdown has inspired her and her home city of Limerick
Despite the obvious commercial fallout from the pandemic - ‘business went over a cliff but the family is happy and healthy’ - she has discovered a whole new lease of life through social media.
Having turned 70 at Christmas, Holman Lee became a mega-hit on Instagram last March after posting an impromptu posture tips video.
Viewed more than 50,000 times, it’s sparked a fresh creative outlet for the grandmotherof-five. “I’m nearly 50 years in this industry and there’s never been a spring, summer, autumn or fall that I haven’t put my foot on the ramp, or my agency hasn’t put its foot on a ramp,” she says. “I started using Facebook and Instagram and doing some work on those. It has helped me mentally to keep going, to communicate with people, even if it’s a different way to how my generation would be used to.
“I only got into social media at the beginning of Covid. It happened by accident. I was always on it promoting the fashion show but not too much about myself ever,” she adds. “I just decided one day, everybody was on doing something - cutting hair, doing make-up, talking about different things, health, exercise - so I said right, I’m going out to the back garden and I’m going to do a bit of deportment.”
Ger Lee, her partner in life and now in social media, was quick to step into Instagram husband mode and after a few technical false starts, filming soon got down to a tee for Celia’s 47,000 followers eager to see the latest fashion and beautifully posed staycation shots.
“It went viral. Imagine being my age, I couldn’t believe it,” Holman Lee says. “It woke me up to the reach of social media. It’s been incredible. I get the odd kick in the backside at times, but I don’t blame them. People are entitled to their own opinions. I also get beautiful comments and that inspires me. I feel if I’m out there wearing cropped trousers and looking the best I possibly can, being as current as I can and they’re getting a little inspiration, then I’ll keep going. Covid gave me that.”
Holman Lee’s glamorous and classic style has seen her appear on countless best-dressed lists since she began modelling at the age of 15. Seven years later, at the age of just 22, she started the Holman Lee Agency, which is now run by her daughter and daughter-in-law. The determination, tenacity and all-round sparkle that has led to her success today, has also been what has helped her shine during the pandemic. “I didn’t let Covid get to me, didn’t let it stop me,” she says. “I just said right this is a huge blip, it’s the whole world, besides my industry, it’s hundreds of industries - you’re not in this alone so get up and get out there and keep pushing in the way that makes your brain tick over.”
As for summer plans, Holman Lee says she’ll be doing a lot of day tripping.
“I love down by King John’s Castle, that’s such a beautiful place. They’ve got a super restaurant,” she says. “Lahinch, Kilkee, Ballybunnion, up around the Burren, Fanore, you could not be in a more magnificent place.” “Covid has given us all outdoor dining and hopefully it’s here to stay,” she adds. “Maybe there’ll be a realisation that the city has to stay like that especially in the summer months.
“If you go down and sit around by the Shannon River it’s just so beautiful, especially the sunsets. There are so many areas where you can sit out. The atmosphere in the city is incredible at the moment because everybody is outside. I hope that never goes.”
Once the pandemic starts to abate and restrictions recede, Holman Lee has plans for a roadshow tour. “Afternoon tea with Celia Holman Lee or something like that,” she laughs. “Talking about myself, lockdown, 50 years in the industry.” And if her recent social media success is anything to go by, you can bet her fans will be eager to follow.
Sometimes it’s the worst ill wind in the world that can blow some good,” says Celia Holman Lee.
The fashion entrepreneur, TV presenter and model spent lockdown in her beloved home city of Limerick.
On Monday, 21st June, 2021, Fáilte Ireland launched a new strategy to develop Limerick as a compelling visitor destination and base for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way. Limerick has been designated as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City, based on its geographical and cultural position in the West of Ireland and its close proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way. The ‘Limerick Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy’ builds on a number of development projects that will bring local experiences to life and leverages the opportunities the Wild Atlantic Way presents to sustainably increase the economic benefit of tourism to Limerick over the next five years.
The strategy has been two years in development between Fáilte Ireland and Limerick City and County Council in collaboration with industry partners across the county.
Speaking at the launch of the strategy, Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said:
“The ‘Limerick Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy’ provides a framework for tourism businesses and stakeholders to work in partnership over the next five years to create new and improve existing visitor experiences while maximising the city’s role as a base to explore the Wild Atlantic Way. The strategy will be hugely important as we work towards recovery and will motivate both domestic and international tourists to visit Limerick. The implementation group, made up of representatives from the industry, was central to the development of the strategy and Fáilte Ireland will be working closely with the group over the coming months to progress the key development projects identified. I’m delighted to be in Limerick for the launch of the strategy and look forward to meeting tourism and hospitality businesses on the ground.”
Mayor of Limerick City and County, Michael Collins, said:
“Limerick is a city of character, full of stories and heritage and has so much to offer visitors. Fáilte Ireland’s new Wild Atlantic Way Gateway
City Strategy will help the city realise its potential to become an international urban tourism destination while maximising its proximity to the Wild Atlantic Way route. To mark Limerick’s designation as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City, Limerick City and County Council will be launching a new marketing campaign to promote Limerick’s emerging status as one of Ireland’s leading destinations for value, welcome and excitement.”
Patricia Roberts, No. 1 Pery Square Hotel & Spa and Stephen O’Connor, The Limerick Strand Hotel, Co-Chairs of the Wild Atlantic Way Gateway City Strategy for Limerick Implementation Group, said:
“The designation of Limerick as a Wild Atlantic Way Gateway
City comes at an exciting time for Limerick tourism as businesses begin to open their doors again. The Wild Atlantic Way Gateway
City Strategy for Limerick gives us the platform to leverage the opportunities the Wild Atlantic Way presents, while also encouraging our visitors to experience and explore all that Limerick has to offer.”