Kemmy was elected vice-chairman of the Labour Party in 1991 and chairman in 1993. He was twice elected Mayor of Limerick, from 1991 to 1992 and again from 1995 to 1996. Shortly before his death, Kemmy edited the acclaimed book The Limerick Anthology which featured the work of his admirer, Frank McCourt. Kemmy was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 1997. He died on 25 September 1997, following a short illness. The by-election for his seat was held on 11 March 1998 and was won by the Labour Party candidate and former Democratic Socialist Party colleague Jan O'Sullivan. The College of Business in the University of Limerick has been named in his memory in 2003 as the "Kemmy Business School". The University College Cork branch of the Labour Party is named after him. The city council had proposed in 1999 to name a new bridge after Kemmy, but it was renamed the Abbey Bridge. In 2000 the Limerick City Museum was renamed the Jim Kemmy Municipal Museum. The Jim Kemmy Papers are housed at the Glucksman Library, University of Limerick. References Further reading 1936 births 1997 deaths Deaths from multiple myeloma Labour Party (Ireland) TDs Democratic Socialist Party (Ireland) TDs Members of the 22nd Dáil Members of the 23rd Dáil Members of the 25th Dáil Members of the 26th Dáil Members of the 27th Dáil Members of the 28th Dáil Mayors of Limerick (city) Local councillors in County Limerick Independent TDs Stonemasons