13 CELEBRATING LIVING HISTORY Jim Eadie at 90


Jim Eadie is one of only two living trade unionists featured in Vol 2 of Left Lives in Twentieth Century Ireland, which was launched last month in Liberty Hall, Dublin. Edited by Francis Devine and


Kieran Jack McGinley, Left Lives is published by Umskin Press. Jim, the first secretary of the NUJ in Ireland, features alongside veteran Dublin Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sam Nolan. James (Jim) Eadie was born in


Stonepark, Roscommon town on June 4th, 1929, so the publication comes on the eve of his 90th birthday.


Jim is profiled by his friend and successor Séamus Dooley in an essay which recalls Jim’s career as a journalist and union official but also, at his insistence, dwells on his sometimes overlooked prowess as a Gaelic footballer. Entitled “The Accidental


Ten shillings for smoking, pictures and dancing Jim Eadie at the launch of Left


Official”, the chapter gives an insight into Jim’s early life as a journalist before he was appointed Irish Organiser after the original nominee Pat Nolan opted not to accept the post in curious circumstances outlined by Séamus.


Jim Eadie was educated at Roscommon CBS and earned a reputation as a tough, uncompromising half forward when he lined out on the school Gaelic football team in the Connacht Colleges Cup Final in 1947, the year of the Big Snow, against St Jarlath’s College, Tuam. Such was his prowess on the sports field that


he was encouraged by the Christian Brothers to repeat his Leaving Cert in 1948, but a successful objection by St Jarlath’s in the first game of the season saw Eadie disqualified and instead acting as umpire alongside future All Ireland winner Frankie Stockwell of Tuam. The partisan Eadie provoked controversy as he and Stockwell disagreed on every score. “We lost that game despite my best efforts. I abandoned secondary school, leaving college football and umpiring behind me.” Eadie decided to pursue a career in journalism, joining the female dominated secretarial course at Roscommon Vocational School, “sitting in the back row learning shorthand and typing”. Keeping up his interest in football with St Coman’s club, he got to know Roscommon Herald sports journalist and future editor Michael O’Callaghan, who encouraged the youthful Eadie’s interest in journalism. O’Callaghan’s advice was direct and sensible.


Lives in Twentieth Century Ireland, Vol 2. Pic: NUJ


NUJ rejects: Jim Eadie with Eoin Ronayne and Séamus Dooley. All three encountered difficulties joining the NUJ but went on to serve as Irish Secretary.


“Keep on reading, keep on writing. Stick at it.” O’Callaghan’s colleague Jim Flanagan was equally encouraging. In 1950, Roscommon Herald shareholder and County Surgeon Dr Jock


(Continued on page 14)


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