Irish tennis has lost one of its great standard-bearers with the passing of Geraldine Barniville (née Houlihan), a formidable competitor who helped define the sport here in the 1960s and 1970s.
A native of Birr, Barniville represented Ireland more than 70 times in tennis and was a key figure in international team competition, featuring in 10 Federation Cup ties (now the Billie Jean King Cup) between 1964 and 1977. She also competed on the sport’s biggest stages, including The Championships, Wimbledon and the US National Championships, where she reached the second round in 1964 and pushed eighth seed Carole Caldwell deep into a deciding set.
Those who watched her — and those who had to play her — remember a relentless will to win and a dedication that set the bar for everyone around her. Her era demanded toughness, self-belief and a willingness to take on the best, and Barniville did exactly that, competing against leading names of the time, including Billie Jean King. A notable highlight of her international career was a win over former Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade in both singles and doubles, the latter alongside Eleanor O’Neill.
Barniville’s sporting story was also remarkable for its range. She took up squash in her mid-20s and went on to excel there too, becoming a multiple international and competing at World Championships.
Geraldine was married to Dr Harry Barniville, himself a prominent figure in Irish tennis of the same period.
May Geraldine rest in peace.
Funeral details can be found here.
