Family of Waterford's first Labour mayor gather to honour a great legacy
The descendants of Alderman Richard Keane with Mayor Jason Murphy, Councillor Seamus Ryan and Mayor of the Metropolitan area Joe Kelly. Picture by Browne's Photography
The Mayor of Waterford City and County Council welcomed the descendants of the first Labour Mayor to the mayor’s parlour recently to honour the centenary of Alderman Richard Keane’s appointment, in 1925, and his lasting legacy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Jason Murphy said that both the mayoral and Labour traditions are very important to the city.
But to see Richard Keane’s legacy live on and inspire his family through generations was an honour to celebrate.
“I was delighted to have the chance to host this. I am truly honoured,” said Mayor Murphy.
Speaking on behalf of Richard Keane’s descendants, Tony Morrissey told those gathered of the first Labour Mayor's rise from the railways to Waterford’s highest seat.
An orphan at 10 years old, Richard Keane lived in the same house on Morris Road his whole life.
He started out working as a “railway servant” on the railway, but as an extremely hard worker, it wasn’t long before he found himself in management.
He met his wife Margaret at age 37 and had six children.
The Labour movement was in its infancy, but Keane was a significant advocate.
When Keane decided not to cross the picket line during a dispute that began in Limerick, he found himself unemployed.
The dispute was resolved, but the owner of the company made 10% of the workforce redundant in retaliation, with Keane among them.
Keane then set up as a coal merchant, remained active in the union and eventually made his way to politics.
In 1925, he was elected Mayor of Waterford.
Mr Morrissey paraphrased a section of the Alderman’s election speech saying: “I would like to thank God on this day that saw me elected as mayor of my home city.”
On behalf of the Labour Party, former mayor and current councillor Seamus Ryan thanked Mayor Murphy for hosting the event.
He told the family that it is a “great honour to be elected as mayor” and that the whole family should be proud.
Mayor of the Metropolitan area, Joe Kelly, concurred with Cllr Ryan and called the Alderman “essentially a colleague” through time.
He said that he is a lifelong socialist and Labour activist and is proud of Waterford’s working-class communities.
He said it was something special to see this family gathered, especially the younger members who hoped would go into politics one day.
And perhaps to become a Labour mayor one day.
“There is something special about this occasion. To see so many members of the one family is fantastic,” said Cllr Kelly.
