Activist Jim at 80... 'I always believed in standing up for what is right'

Looking back over his 80 years of life, Navan man, Jim O'Brien remarks: "I always believed in standing up for what is right."

One of the founders of the Crannac Co Op in Navan and lifelong trade unionist, Jim, who celebrated his 80th birthday last week, certainly stood up for his beliefs.

The carpenter, trade union leader and artist is known as the activist who, with his colleagues, founded the iconic Crannac Co Op which was known across the country for the quality of its furniture.

Jim was a lifelong member of the Labour Party, campaigned in many elections and referendums and was active in protests and campaigns both locally and nationally over the decades.

Alongside this political activism, Jim is also a talented artist and member of the Meath Arts Group. His work has featured in many exhibitions over the years, including a very successful one last year in Navan Library.

Jim was born in a thatched cottage at the top of Flower Hill in 1945, the eldest of 11 children.

His father, Vincent was a cabinet maker and active trade unionist. "He loved to sing old songs and was known as the Bard," Jim recalls.

Jim describes his mother, May as "a leading light" in his life. "It was from her I got my love of Irish."

"I used to draw pictures, copying them out of boys comic books. My mother told me to go out into the countryside and sketch what I saw there. That was the start of my interest in art."

While Jim was growing up, the O'Brien family moved from the top of Flower Hill to the bottom of the hill, now the inner relief road and then back up to St Mary's Park. He went to the De La Salle School in Navan and left when he was 14 to go to work in John Hogge's furniture factory.

"I finished my apprenticeship and followed in my father's footsteps into the union. It was the Woodworkers Union in those days and I was elected secretary of the Navan Branch. It was a voluntary part time position.

"At the time trade unionism was a major topic and people were very willing to join up."

The furniture factory where he worked changed ownership a number of times and by 1972, the staff became aware that the business was in trouble.

"We expected the worst, but we were prepared," Jim recalls.

"The factory closed on a Friday evening in May 1972 and when we reported for work on Monday, a liquidator had taken charge.

"He spoke to us through an open window and told us we would need to go to look for work elsewhere."

Jim recalls that the workers had prepared for this.

"We told him our tools were in the factory and we couldn't get work unless we had our tools, so he reluctantly let us in.

"When we got in, we told him we would not leave until we got proper redundancy pay."

The subsequent sit-in lasted three months, The workers got their redundancy, there were collections for them and when the businesses went up for sale, they were able to buy it.

"We bought it, lock, stock and barrel and we ran it as a co-op. I'm very proud of that," Jim recalls.

"We got a lot of help and support, from our union, other unions, the late Derry Fitzgerald, chair of the Meath Council of Trade Unions, Fr Andy Farrell, and the Chamber of Commerce.

"We were making good quality decent furniture."

The Crannac Co-op lasted for over 30 years, but with major changes in the furniture industry and competition from cheap imports, Crannac finally closed in 2003.

Jim was very active in the Labour party and was secretary of the local branch, organising canvassing and campaign for elections and referendums.

Over the years he saw the late Brendan Clusker and his name sake, Jim O'Brien elected as councillors and later, Anton McCabe.

"I remember campaigning during the two divorce referendums. I liked the cut and thrust of politics."

Jim campaigned and protested on many issues. "I think I became known as a protester, because I believed in standing up for what is right."

Jim wasn't alone in his activism, as he married Rosaleen Fitzsimons from Gibbstown, who worked in Dunnes Stores and was also an active trade unionist.

"She was a more active trade union leader than I was. She led five strikes, where I led none."

Rosaleen was also a Labour Party candidate in 1999 Navan Town Council election, but failed to win a seat.

The couple have three children, Robbie, an engineer, Sharon, who is one of the Deans of Dublin City University and Roisin Reilly, a manager at the local credit union.

They also have five grandchildren, Rian and Fionn O' hAilleen, Blaithin and Eoghan Reilly and Sé Dorrian.

Throughout his life, Jim has loved his art. He is a self taught artist who mainly works in acrylics. "It usually takes me about a week to finish a painting."

He was a leading member of the Meath Arts Group and his work has been exhibited on may occasions, including in the arts group own art gallery some years ago.

"The late Billy Goonan got us the use of a shop on Watergate Street and we made a good job of running it for 18 months, We held exhibitions there and we were proud it lasted that long."

Jim is still painting. "I'm currently working on a painting of Merrion Square," he says.

His most recent exhibition was in Navan Library last year."I am very grateful to the library for allowing me to exhibit there.

"I love painting. I've never sold a lot, just maybe four or five a year."

Jim celebrated his 80th birthday with a party with family and friends in the Newgrange Hotel.

The entertainment included a live band with featuring his son, Robbie, and three of his grandchildren, Rian, Fionn and Roisin, as well as friends, Gerry, Karl and Collette.

Celebrating his 80th birthday, won’t see an end to either Jim's activism or his painting.

He is still a member of the Labour Party and an active member of the Meath Branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity group, attending regular protests, here in Meath and Dublin.

He still has his social conscience and has no intention of giving up "standing up for what I believe is right."