Benard Kieran

Bernard Bede (Barney) Kieran ( – 22 December 1905) was an Australian swimmer. During the course of his swimming career, he set several world records and earned many medals. A memorial was created at his grave in his honour and a swimming race was named after him.

Personal Kieran was born on 6 October 1886

Kieran died on 22 December 1905 following an operation to remove his appendix His body was moved by train to Sydney for his funeral, arriving on 25 December 1905. He was a New South Wales swimming champion. On 28 August 1905 in Leeds, Kieran set a world record in the 500 yard free style event in a 25 yards long pool with a time of 6 minutes, 7 and 1/5 seconds. He held other swimming world records including in the 200, 300, 500 and 1000 yards and mile events.

Kieran started swimming in 1904 It was erected and unveiled in August 1906 at the Gore Hill Cemetery in North Sydney. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1969.