The Irish labour movement, and especially its labour history community, is mourning one of its most respected and recognisable figures, Dr Kieran Jack McGinley who died suddenly on 25 November.

Throughout his life, Jack, as he was generally known, was a passionate advocate for workers’ rights either through his trade union activism or public campaigns, all the while giving forty-five years of service to Trinity College Dublin. He also worked tirelessly to forge strong links between Ireland and Cuba and he could be seen around the globe supporting his beloved Republic of Ireland football team.

But Jack was best known to many of us as a driving force in the Irish labour history community. He served twice as President of the Irish Labour History Society and once as it treasurer. He was also at the helm co-ordinating the landmark international conference in September 2023 marking the fiftieth anniversary of the Society.

Just as important was his founding of Umiskin Press, which took its name from the Donegal townland of his family roots. A not-for-profit publisher he grew it into the principal source of Irish labour history texts, particularly through biography. The continuing series of volumes, Left Lives in Twentieth Century Ireland, are a testament to some of the many lesser known figures who devoted their lives, as Jack himself did, to the betterment of the Irish working class. It will be an enduring legacy.

On a personal level, Jack’s support and encouragement was crucial, particularly in publishing my biography of William Walker. He became a mentor as well as a friend. It was at the book’s London launch in 2019 that Jack gave a moving account of his impressive journey from working class Donegal. He was a remarkable man who made a huge contribution to all that he did. He will be greatly missed by all of us. My thoughts are with his widow Helen who, with Jack, always gave me a special place to stay at their home in central Dublin. How I will miss all of that.

Dr Mike Mecham represents Irish labour history on the EC, Society for the Study of Labour History.

Passing of Jack McGinley, on the Irish Labour History Society website.
Funeral arrangements for Jack McGinley RIP, on the Irish Labour History Society website.