1897-1967. Ambassador (Minister to the Holy See). From Dublin he was educated at St Mary’s Rathmines and subsequently at University College Dublin. An Inspector of Taxes, he became Director of Broadcasting at RTE. He served as Ambassador to the Holy See from 1941-1946. He married Delia Murphy. The Kiernans were held in high esteem, not least for helping raise the profile of Irish religious orders working in the Eternal City. He was also involved in assisting Msgr Hugh O’Flaherty [the Scarlet Pimpernel] in helping escaped prisoners of war during the occupation of Rome [1943-44]. His Mayo-born wife [1902-1971] was known as “the singing blackbird. After his service in Rome he acted in a number of ambassadorial appointments including Australia and concluding in the United States. He wrote a number of biographies including one on Pope Pius X11. Post retirement he administered the Irish American Foundation which was established following the visit of President John Kennedy to Ireland. He died in December and his body was donated to the Royal College of Surgery in Ireland to further medical education. His wife is buried in Deansgrange Cemetery. (Reference John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection: John F Kennedy Library and Museum).
