Joseph Foster Cairns was born on 27 June 1920 to Frederick and Janette Cairns.

He joined his family’s furniture business in 1935 and went on to become the managing director of J Cairns Ltd, furniture retailer. The firm had premises at Sandy Row and expanded to outlets at York Street, Shankill Road and Albertbridge Road.

Cairns first entered the Belfast Corporation as a councillor for Clifton ward in 1952 and subsequently represented Belfast Central and Oldpark. He was appointed High Sheriff of Belfast in 1963 and was knighted in 1972.

Cairns served on the senate of Queen’s University from 1969 to 1972. He was chairman of Lynley Development building company from 1964.