MIC FemFest 2026: Opening Address

In the 1980s and 1990s, Jackie played soccer and rugby for Ireland, earning a remarkable 13 caps in each. She was also the country's first mixed-race player in both sports. Jackie is the author of the heartfelt and inspiring memoir: 'We made it, kid: Living life in full colour', which was launched in Limerick in October 2025. In her memoir, Jackie recounts the story of an extraordinary life on and off the pitch. Born in Birmingham to an Irish mother and Jamaican father in 1961, Jackie spent her early years in an industrial school in Limerick. She was recovered by her mother at the age of five. And, although her sporting career was legendary, she also experienced significant challenges. She is the mother of three children, and in recent years she has become both a TikTok star and LGBTQ+ icon, as well as a best-selling author.