Both the city and county enterprise boards will present a “Women in business” networking event on Wednesday May 2 next where the from 6 to 9pm the Carlton Castletroy park Hotel will play backdrop for “The Story of Lily O’Brien Chocolates”.
Senator Mary Ann O’Brien, Managing Director at Lily O’Brien Chocolates, will tell her inspiring story of how she built Lily O’Brien Chocolates from hand making chocolates in her kitchen to becoming one of Ireland’s best known export businesses.
Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates started life as the brainchild of Mary Ann O’Brien who, having discovered her true passion for all things chocolate embarked on a journey of discovery, and established Lily O’Brien’s chocolates as one of Ireland’s best-loved chocolatiers.
The event will kick off with registration from 6pm and the keynote speech from Senator O’Brien will document her journey from kitchen table to international brand.
Included on the night will be discussions on
Key reasons for achieving success
Making it as a woman in business
The future of Lilly O’Briens chocolates
Achieving success, while managing family life
Key pointers for success as a woman in business
Profile
Mary Ann O’Brien is one of the most widely recognised and successful female entrepreneurs to emerge in Ireland in the past 20 years.
Having started Lily O’Brien’s chocolates in her small Kildare kitchen in 1992, she has grown the business into one of the country’s most recognised global brands. The company, named after her first-born daughter, is Ireland’s premier chocolate manufacturer and a leading exporter. Located in Newbridge, Co. Kildare the company employs more than 100 full time staff and produces 180 varieties of chocolates at a rate of between 55 and 60 tons per week (a long leap from the 2 tonnes produced in 1992!). Last year, Mary Ann built a dessert factory which is already winning global awards for taste and global contracts for airlines. Mary Ann is also cofounder of the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation which she set up in 1997 along with her husband Jonathan Irwin to provide home nursing care to young children in Ireland up to the age of 4 years old who have developmental delay as a result of brain damage. They decided to set up Jack and Jill based on their own experience caring for their son Jack at home until he passed away at home in December 1997. This experience became the blue print for the Jack & Jill model of home nursing care which supports 286 families in Ireland today and has helped 1,500 families since 1997. The service includes home visits, advice, information, funding, lobbying and bereavement support. Jack & Jill requires €2.7 million per annum to operate this service and, with less than 20% coming from the State, the Foundation raises the money it needs through mobile phone and cash donations from the public and through corporate partners and volunteers. In recognition for her sterling contribution to Irish society An Taoiseach Enda Kenny appointed Mary Ann to Seanad Eireann in May 2011. Since her appointment Mary Ann has brought a fresh perspective to the workings of the house adopting a business approach to her legislative function. In a few short months as a Senator Mary Ann has played a pivotal role in policy debates in relation to business, job creation, disabilities and charities all issues close to her heart.
