Mary Ann O'Brien
Mary Ann O'Brien | |
|---|---|
 O'Brien in 2011 | |
| Senator | |
| In office May 2011 – April 2016 | |
| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1960 County Waterford,Ireland |
| Political party | Renua Ireland(since March 2015) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 (including 2 deceased)[1] |
Mary Ann O'Brien(born 8 September 1960) is anIrishbusinesswoman and former politician.[2]She is the founder and chairman of Lily O'Brien's Chocolates[3]and in 1997, she founded the Jack and Jill Foundation with her husbandJonathan Irwin,to provide home health care to severely sick babies. It was set up as a direct response to their experience of caring at home for their son Jack, born with severe brain damage in 1996.
O'Brien's family background is inhorse racing- her fatherPhonsie O'Brienand uncleVincent O'Brienwere both notable racehorse trainers.[1]
In May 2011, she wasnominated by the TaoiseachEnda Kennyto the24th Seanad.[4][5]
At the launch ofRenuain March 2015, O'Brien was announced as a party candidate.[6]O'Brien clarified that she would remain independent while a Senator and join Renua to stand at the2016 general election.[7]However, O'Brien did not contest the 2016 general election.
References[edit]
- ^abSmith, Andrea (12 June 2013)."'I'd pretend it was all fine at work, then go home and start sobbing with stress'".Herald.ie.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2021.Retrieved27 September2021.
- ^"Mary Ann O'Brien".Oireachtas Members Database.Archivedfrom the original on 9 October 2019.Retrieved4 June2011.
- ^"About us".Lily O'Brien's.Retrieved4 June2011.
- ^Edwards, Elaine (20 May 2011)."McAleese appointed to Seanad".The Irish Times.Archivedfrom the original on 16 October 2012.Retrieved4 June2011.
- ^"Mary Ann O'Brien".ElectionsIreland.org.Archivedfrom the original on 18 October 2011.Retrieved20 November2011.
- ^O'Connell, Hugh (13 March 2015)."Here's everything we know about Renua Ireland (and its policies)".TheJournal.ie.Archivedfrom the original on 4 March 2016.Retrieved21 May2015.
- ^"Kildare Senator To Join Renua Ireland".Kfm.14 March 2015.Archivedfrom the original on 28 May 2015.Retrieved21 May2015.
- 1960 births
- Living people
- Independent members of Seanad Éireann
- Politicians from County Waterford
- 20th-century Irish businesswomen
- 20th-century Irish businesspeople
- Members of the 24th Seanad
- 21st-century women members of Seanad Éireann
- Renua Ireland politicians
- Nominated members of Seanad Éireann
- 21st-century Irish businesswomen
- 21st-century Irish businesspeople