A plaque was unveiled in recent days at Owen Roe Terrace in Cavan in memory of Cavan-born Australian Senator Jim McKiernan who passed away in 2018.
It was unveiled by the Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council, Cllr Philip Brady, alongside Jim's wife, Jackie and members of the extended McKiernan family.
The event was part of the Cavan Calling homecoming festival for the Cavan Diaspora which took place last weekend.
Meanwhile, Jim left school at 14 and became a tradesman and trade union activist in England before emigrating to Australia.
There he got involved in politics and served as a popular member of parliament for 18 years.
Jim's wife, Jackie - who worked alongside him for many years - said he never lost his affinity with Ireland.
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”.
