Fionnuala Kenny
| Fionnuala Kenny | |
|---|---|
| Spouse of the Taoiseach | |
|
Assumed office 9 March 2011 | |
| President |
Mary McAleese Michael D. Higgins |
| Taoiseach | Enda Kenny |
| Preceded by | Mary Cowen |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Fionnuala O'Kelly 1 March 1956 Clontarf, Dublin, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse(s) | Enda Kenny (m. 1992) |
| Children |
Aoibhinn Ferdia Naoise |
| Residence | Steward's Lodge |
| Alma mater |
University College Dublin Nancy-Université |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
Fionnuala Kenny (born 1 March 1956) is an Irish public relations specialist and former press officer for Fianna Fáil. She is the wife of Enda Kenny, the Leader of Fine Gael who has served as Taoiseach since March 2011. She has been described by the media as Kenny's "best asset" and his "secret weapon."[1][2][3] In March 1987, Kenny became the first woman to head the Irish Government Information Service, a position she held until 1990.[1] She then served as the head of public affairs at Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), beginning in 1990.[2]
Kenny, the daughter of two civil servants, was born Fionnuala O'Kelly in 1956 in Clontarf, Dublin.[1][2] She was educated at St Louis College (St Louis Secondary School) in County Monaghan. She then studied French and German at University College Dublin.[1] O'Kelly received her master's degree in French from Nancy-Université in Nancy, France.[1]
Once she returned to Ireland, she enrolled in a public relations course which was offered by AnCo, an agency which later became part of the present-day Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS).[1] O'Kelly applied for a public relations position, which was advertised in a newspaper for a ""national organisation." She only discovered that the organisation mentioned in the employment ad was Fianna Fáil, one of Ireland's major political parties, once she had been offered a job interview.[1][3] She won the job, despite an intimidating encounter with Charles Haughey during the interview, and became Fianna Fáil's press officer at Leinster House.[1] She worked under Haughey, the leader of Fianna Fáil and Taoiseach of Ireland from 1979 to 1981, 1982, and 1987 to 1992, for much of the next decade.[1] O'Kelly put together the photographs published in "The Spirit of the Nation: the Speeches and Statements of Charles J Haughey (1957-86)," a book edited by Martin Mansergh.[1]
Charles Haughey regained his position as Taoiseach in 1987. In March 1987, Fionnuala O'Kelly was appointed the head the Government Information Service, becoming the first women to lead the agency.[1]
On the first day of the 31st Dáil, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin sent his regards to her in the chamber after her husband was elected Taoiseach. Enda Kenny responded: "Were she still with you, you might be in a much stronger position today".[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Reilly, Jerome (2007-04-08). "Enda's been hiding his party's best asset: his wife". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- 1 2 3 O'Doherty, Gemma (2016-01-06). "Fionnuala Kenny -- Enda's secret weapon". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- 1 2 "Step forward Fionnuala -- Taoiseach's wife and his perfect partner as he runs country". The Herald (Ireland). 2011-05-27. Retrieved 2016-02-04.
- ↑ As it happened: Enda Kenny’s appointment as Taoiseach - 13:57 and 13:59