Plaque Unveiled in Memory of Jim McKiernan
A plaque was unveiled today at Owen Roe Terrace in Cavan in memory of Cavan-born Australian Senator Jim McKiernan (1944-2018). The plaque was unveiled by the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Councillor Philip Brady, alongside Jim’s wife, Jackie, with members of the McKiernan family in attendance. The unveiling was part of the Cavan Calling homecoming festival for the Cavan Diaspora.
The plaque text reads as follows: “Jim was the son of Maisie and James McKiernan and grew up in Owen Roe Terrace. He left school at 14 and became a tradesman and trade union activist in England before emigrating to Australia where he served as a popular member of parliament for 18 years. He was a great champion of the underdog and a proud Cavan man.”
It also contains a tribute from President Michael D Higgins "His life, his commitment to justice, his courage and internationalism represented something that can only be described as Ireland and Australia at their best."
Speaking following the unveiling, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Philip Brady said, “Cavan Calling is all about acknowledging the enormous impact of the Cavan Diaspora around the globe, and there is no better example of that than Senator Jim McKiernan, who was a passionate and principled advocate for the underprivileged and the disadvantaged. I am proud to be here today with his family to celebrate the life and achievements of one of Cavan’s most distinguished sons”.
In a statement, the Chief Executive of Cavan County Council Tommy Ryan said, “Jim McKiernan made a significant contribution to Ireland and to Australia. This plaque is a fitting tribute to his memory and will serve as a reminder of his many achievements.”
Jim ended his formal education at the age of fourteen years. He worked as a petrol pump attendant, abattoir worker and messenger before moving to England at 16 to join his older brother and sister, where he started an apprenticeship as a fitter and got involved in the trade union movement. At 22, he availed of the assisted passage scheme and emigrated to Fremantle, Western Australia. Arriving in the sweltering heat of the Australian summer, McKiernan walked around Fremantle’s shipyards looking for work. He eventually gained employment and lived for two months in a migrant hostel with his family. He soon after joined the Australian Society of Engineers (ASE) and later the Amalgamated Metal Workers Union (AMWU) before becoming their first full-time education officer for Western Australia. His union activism intensified he later became involved with the Australian Labor Party. In 1984, he was elected to the Senate and re-elected three times before his retirement in 2002.
In his first speech to parliament on March 25, 1985, McKiernan learned through experience how “unjust and inequitable our Western-style societies can be. The rich and wealthy command, control and walk all over the weak and disadvantaged”. He also referenced his concern for Aboriginal land rights, nuclear proliferation, uranium mining and access to health care. He became a popular member of parliament, known for his passionate speeches, great sense of humour and trademark colourful ties. The causes he championed included campaigns against privatisation and Australia’s participation in the Gulf War.
McKiernan never forgot his roots and was also a passionate advocate for Ireland in Australia and acted as secretary for the Australian Irish Parliamentary Association for many years. During this time, he met with President Mary Robinson, President McAleese, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and numerous Irish delegations that visited Australia. He was a major supporter of the Northern Ireland peace process and helped secure a $7 million contribution to the Australian Ireland Fund. He also promoted tourism and trade links between the two nations and worked to support Irish people who found themselves in difficulty in Australia. In 1991 he received the Irish Australian of the Year Award.
McKiernan’s experience with being forced to take an oath of allegiance to the Queen was a major factor in his helping to lead a campaign to end the practice, successfully resulting in the passage of the Australian Citizenship Amendment Bill 1993. He also was a dedicated campaigner in the movement for Australia to become a republic.
Jim’s wife, Jackie worked alongside him for many years. Speaking at the ceremony, she said, “I am so grateful to the County Council for commissioning this plaque. It is a beautiful way to remember my husband and his legacy. He was so proud of his Cavan roots, and it is great to see him honoured and remembered in this way.”
Councillor Madeline Argue, whose father Senator Andy O’Brien was Jim’s school teacher at Crubany National School and a mentor for a time said, “Jim’s legacy is an impressive one, and his story will no doubt go on to inspire many others from Cavan and beyond.”
Also remembering and honouring Jim McKiernan were Jim’s siblings Rosaleen, Noel, Maura, Dympna, Seán and Una and members of the wider McKiernan family.
