Ireland was born in Sauchiehall Street and went to Garnethill Primary. He then attended Glasgow High School.
He played for Glasgow HSFP.[2]
The Jimmie Ireland stand at the Glasgow club was opened in 2000.[3]
He played for Glasgow District in the 1924 inter-city match.[4]
He was capped at the age of 14 for Scotland Schools.[5]
He received ten caps for Scotland from 1925 to 1927.[6]
He was the last surviving member of Scotland's first Grand Slam side of 1925. In 1996, he opened a block of hospitality suites at Murrayfield Stadium each one bearing a name of that famous XV.[5]
He swapped jerseys with Sam Tucker, the England hooker, after Scotland had beaten England at Twickenham in 1926. He was given a bill by the SRU for the loss of the Scotland jersey of 12 shillings and 6 pence.[5]
He was an international referee. He refereed 5 Home Nations Championship matches between 1938 and 1939.[5]
He became President of Glasgow HSFP.[7]
He was a Chairman of the International Rugby Board. As Chairman, in 1949, he saw that Australia, South Africa and New Zealand were admitted as full members for the first time.[5]
He was President of the Scottish Rugby Union for the period 1950 to 1951.[8]
