Mary Ann O'Brien explained

Office:Senator
Term Start:May 2011
Term End:April 2016
Constituency:Nominated by the Taoiseach
Otherparty:Independent
Birth Date:8 September 1960
Birth Place:County Waterford, Ireland
Nationality:Irish
Children:5 (including 2 deceased)

Mary Ann O'Brien (born 8 September 1960) is an Irish businesswoman and former 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.

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 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] However, O'Brien did not contest the 2016 general election.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mary Ann O'Brien. Oireachtas Members Database. 4 June 2011. 9 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009203630/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Mary-Ann-O%27Brien.S.2011-05-25/. live.
  2. Web site: About us. 4 June 2011. Lily O'Brien's.
  3. Web site: Smith . Andrea . 'I'd pretend it was all fine at work, then go home and start sobbing with stress' . Herald.ie . 12 June 2013 . 27 September 2021 . 27 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210927235231/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/lifestyle/id-pretend-it-was-all-fine-at-work-then-go-home-and-start-sobbing-with-stress-29340218.html . live .
  4. News: McAleese appointed to Seanad. The Irish Times. 20 May 2011. Elaine. Edwards. 4 June 2011. 16 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121016175851/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0520/breaking59.html. live.
  5. Web site: Mary Ann O'Brien. ElectionsIreland.org. 20 November 2011. 18 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111018151654/http://electionsireland.org//candidate.cfm?ID=10006. live.
  6. News: Here's everything we know about Renua Ireland (and its policies). O'Connell. Hugh. 13 March 2015. TheJournal.ie. 21 May 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071058/http://www.thejournal.ie/renua-ireland-policies-1990467-Mar2015/. live.
  7. News: Kildare Senator To Join Renua Ireland.. 14 March 2015. Kfm. 21 May 2015. 28 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150528142009/http://www.kfmradio.com/news/14032015-1500/kildare-senator-join-renua-ireland. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mary Ann O'Brien".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.