Background
Thomas Beirne was born on 9 July 1860 at Ballymacurly near Ballymoe, Roscommon in Ireland.
Businessman philanthropist politician
Thomas Beirne was born on 9 July 1860 at Ballymacurly near Ballymoe, Roscommon in Ireland.
He migrated to Melbourne on the Lusitania in February 1884. A series of business ventures saw him establish a successful drapery business in Brisbane, Queensland. Bernie was Warden of the University of Queensland and in 1935 donated £20,000 to establish the TC Beirne School of Law.
He was also a benefactor of Holy Name Cathedral, Brisbane, the Pius XII Regional Seminary at Banyo, Mater Misericordiae Hospital and Duchesne College in the University of Queensland.
Beirne died in 1949. His funeral, which was presided over by Archbishop James Duhig, was held at Street Stephen"s Cathedral and proceeded to the Nudgee Cemetery.
Thomas Beirne is remembered today by:
T C Beirne Park, a park that once formed part of the grounds of his Hendra home, Glengariff
TC Beirne Department Store, now the T C Beirne Centre, a shopping center in Fortitude Valley
TC Beirne School of Law at the University of Queensland
A number of buildings associated with Thomas Beirne are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, including:
his home Glengariff in Hendra
his retail premises TC Beirne Department Store
accommodation built for his staff Bulolo Flats.
In Brisbane Beirne became an active member of the Brisbane Traders" Association, including its president in 1901. He was also a board member of Brisbane Tramway Company, Australian Mutual Provident Society, the Atlas Assurance Company and the British Australian Cotton Association. He was also involved in the early stages of the Australian Labour Party and from 1905 till 1922 he was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council.
