Suncroft’s Jack Jones – Pioneer Of Opinion Polling
The forthcoming General Election (November 2024) will no doubt witness the publication of a plethora of opinion polls throughout the campaign aiming to capture the views of the public on a range of issues including party and leader support, specific topics and even breaking down support levels by region and age groups. There is no denying the – some argue excessive – influence of pollsters during any political campaign.
Of particular relevance to County Kildare, is that Jack Jones – a native of Suncroft – is widely recognised as a pioneer of polling in modern Ireland. He founded the Market Research Bureau of Ireland (MRBI) in the 1962 after a lengthy career in the Defence Forces. His 2001 book In Your Opinion : Political and Social Trends in Ireland through the Eyes of the Electorate sets out the evolution of the company and of opinion polling over the following decades.
When Jack Jones suddenly passed away in 2013, he had completed two chapters (of a planned six) of a planned memoir centred on his native Suncroft. Thanks to the efforts of Jacks’ former colleague Aine O’Donoghue, these two chapters were subsequently edited and published in a 44 page booklet form in 2022 under the title Suncroft A Rural Reverie.
Chapter 1 ‘Suncroft: The Early Years’ includes a detailed description of life and the surrounding landscape in Suncroft and surrounding districts in the 1920s and 1930s (Jack was born in 1921). Poignant descriptions of his own family and other families in the area are also included. His father N.P. Jones was Principal in the local primary school, while his aunt ran the local post office.
Chapter 2 ‘Suncroft: The Military Dimension and Beyond’ covers the career of Jack in the Army as a member of the 18th Cadet Class and his subsequent career across Ireland as an Army Officer. A keen sportsman, Jack played football with Suncroft and Army teams and includes memories of “the legend of all legends” Suncroft and Kildare great Paul Doyle.
Kildare Library Service would like to thank Ms Áine O’Donoghue for both arranging the printing of this publication and for graciously donating copies to Kildare Library Service for the wider public to enjoy.
Both of these books by Jack Jones also form part of the Kildare Local Studies collections (Kildare Library Service) where members of the public may consult them by prior appointment.
