Mary Ann O'Brien
Mary Ann O'Brien (born 8 September 1960) is an Irish businesswoman and politician.[1] She is the founder and chairman of Lily O'Brien's Chocolates[2] and in 1997, she founded the Jack and Jill Foundation with her husband Jonathan 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.
Mary Ann O'Brien | |
|---|---|
| Senator | |
| In office May 2011 – April 2016 | |
| Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 September 1960 County Waterford, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Renua Ireland (since March 2015) |
| Other political affiliations | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Jonathan Irwin (m. 1991) |
| Children | Three sons (two deceased); two daughters |
O'Brien's family background is in horse racing - her father Phonsie O'Brien and uncle Vincent O'Brien were both notable racehorse trainers.[3]
In May 2011, she was nominated by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to the 24th Seanad.[4][5]
At the launch of Renua Ireland in 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 the 2016 general election.[7]
References
- "Mary Ann O'Brien". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- "About us". Lily O'Brien's. Archived from the original on 24 October 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
- Smith, Andrea (12 June 2013). "'I'd pretend it was all fine at work, then go home and start sobbing with stress'". Herald.ie.
- Edwards, Elaine (20 May 2011). "McAleese appointed to Seanad". The Irish Times.
- "Mary Ann O'Brien". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- O'Connell, Hugh (13 March 2015). "Here's everything we know about Renua Ireland (and its policies)". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
- "Kildare Senator To Join Renua Ireland". Kfm. 14 March 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2015.