With family ties to the auctioneering profession going back more than a century and a keen interest in antiques, collectables, history and archaeology, it was clear from a very young age that David Herman would become a part of the auction business. In 1961 he began his career in Sherry’s Auction Rooms on Baggot Street in the heart of Dublin City. From those beginnings David moved, after a spell in Lisneys, became the clerk at the Allen & Townsend Mansion House Auctions which were known to include up to 4,500 lots spread over three or four days. His experience in these auctions allows him to comfortably sell up to 200 lots per hour in a live auction capacity. David has been involved in many high-profile auctions over the years including Wells House, Gorey; Glenaster Lodge, Newcastle West; Sandycove, Clonakilty, Bloomfield, Enniscorthy; Kinnity Castle, Co Offaly; Dublin Castle (on behalf of OPW) and many hotel clearances.
In 1966, David became a member of the Auctioneers Association which eventually evolved into the S.C.S.I. which lead to membership of the London based Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Over the intervening years, David ran Orchard Auctioneers in Rathfarnham from 1970 eventually taking over the McMullen Bros site in Rathmines in 1978 where, as Managing Director he has overseen the growth of Herman’s Auction Rooms into what is probably the busiest auction rooms in Ireland. Over his 55-year career in the auction business, David has built up an incredible knowledge of all aspects of the antique and chattel end of the auction business. He specialises in organising on-site auctions. The salerooms on the Lower Rathmines Road was established in 1928 by Fran and Louis McMullen and over the following fifty years became well known in Rathmines for its weekly household contents auctions. Acquired in 1978 by David Herman and Raymond Wilkinson, the McMullens Auction Rooms quickly expanded under the name of Herman’s Auction Rooms to include Fine Art and Antique Auctions held at approximately six-week intervals among other specialist and clearance auctions.
Currently, the auction rooms are evolving , and Herman’s is responsible for the changing dynamic of auctions in Ireland. Our sales are designed to facilitate the lives of our modern buying client base, with all of our auctions illustrated and timed online over a number of dates to facilitate bidding. Our sales are becoming more diverse showcasing a wide variety of specialist auctions including our weekly Interiors auctions, Fine Art & Decorative Interior auctions, Irish & Contemporary Art Auctions, Collectibles Auctions and more. All of this change is built on the foundation of our longstanding reputation for integrity, professionalism, quality, and value, which attracts vendors and buyers globally.