Mary Ann O'Brien | |
---|---|
Senator | |
In office May 2011 –April 2016 | |
Constituency | Nominated by the Taoiseach |
Personal details | |
Born | County Waterford,Ireland | 8 September 1960
Political party | Renua (March 2015–2016) |
Other political affiliations | Independent |
Spouse | |
Children | 5 (including 2 deceased) [1] |
Mary Ann O'Brien (born 8 September 1960) is an Irish businesswoman 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 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. [1]
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.
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