Mary Ann O’Brien is an Irish businesswoman, investor and activist. She is the founder of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates which grew from the kitchen sink into a leading global supplier of premium chocolate goods.  Since selling the business she has concentrated on her investment activities.

 

Mary Ann co-founded the Jack and Jill Foundation 1997 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 was honoured to be nominated to the Seanad (Irish Senate) in 2011 by the then Taoiseach Enda Kenny to serve as an independent for 5 years. Mary Ann is passionate about Ireland, its culture, its people, their success and contentment and its green future.