Peggy Farrell
Encyclopedia
Peggy Farrell was a retired Irish
businesswoman who came to prominence through the Irish Countrywomen's Association
and had a brief career as a Fianna Fáil
politician in Ireland
. She was a senator
from 1969 to 1973.
Farrell was born 1920 in Bantry
, County Cork
, and educated at the Convent of Mercy
in Bantry
, at a rural school in Clifden
, and then at the Munster Institute in Cork
. She married Thomas P. Farrell, and had two daughters and two sons. The couple ran a hatchery with her husband before going into the clothing business.
Before her marriage, Farrell was a poultry inspector in the Munster Institute, but had to resign the job because the Department of Agriculture banned the employment of married women. She later defended the policy, telling The Irish Times
in 1981 that "I think it is unjust and nearly unchristian that in some families you have two salaries coming in and in others none at all."
She joined the Irish Countrywomen's Association
and campaigned for women in rural Ireland to have the standard of living as those in the cities. In recognition of her work, she was nominated by the Taoiseach
, Jack Lynch
to the 12th Seanad in 1969 (following her uncle Ted O'Sullivan, who had been a TD
and then a senator). She then resigned her position was president of the ICA, but withdrew the resignation after it had been accepted. After advice from lawyers, the ICA executive decided that as a result of her actions, she was ineligible for the position of vice-president. In 1970 she wrote a highly-charged letter to an ICA member who criticised the stance she had taken in voting against an amendment allowing married women to become officers of the new Health Board
s. She told The Irish Times in 1981 that "this still stings".
In the early 1970s, Farrell started a clothing factory called Chixwear in Athlone, County Roscommon
, to provide an alternative to emigration for young women in the area. She took over another factory in 1976, and in all employed 96 women.
When the women journalists on the The Irish Times
drew up an all-woman "fantasy cabinet" on 14 February 1973, Farrell was one of those included. Peggy Farrell died on 17 January 2003.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
businesswoman who came to prominence through the Irish Countrywomen's Association
Irish Countrywomen's Association
The Irish Countrywomen's Association is the largest women's organisation in Ireland, with over 15,000 members. Founded in 1910, it exists to prove social and educational opportunities for women and to improve the standard of rural and urban life in Ireland...
and had a brief career as a Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician in Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. She was a senator
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
from 1969 to 1973.
Farrell was born 1920 in Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and educated at the Convent of Mercy
Convent of Mercy
Convent of Mercy could refer to:*The Convent of Mercy *The Convent of Mercy *The Convent of Mercy *Convent of Mercy, a band....
in Bantry
Bantry
Bantry is a town on the coast of County Cork, Ireland. It lies on the N71 national secondary road at the head of Bantry Bay, a deep-water gulf extending for 30 km to the west...
, at a rural school in Clifden
Clifden
Clifden is a town on the coast of County Galway, Ireland and being Connemara's largest town, it is often referred to as "the Capital of Connemara". It is located on the Owenglen River where it flows into Clifden Bay...
, and then at the Munster Institute in Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. She married Thomas P. Farrell, and had two daughters and two sons. The couple ran a hatchery with her husband before going into the clothing business.
Before her marriage, Farrell was a poultry inspector in the Munster Institute, but had to resign the job because the Department of Agriculture banned the employment of married women. She later defended the policy, telling The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
in 1981 that "I think it is unjust and nearly unchristian that in some families you have two salaries coming in and in others none at all."
She joined the Irish Countrywomen's Association
Irish Countrywomen's Association
The Irish Countrywomen's Association is the largest women's organisation in Ireland, with over 15,000 members. Founded in 1910, it exists to prove social and educational opportunities for women and to improve the standard of rural and urban life in Ireland...
and campaigned for women in rural Ireland to have the standard of living as those in the cities. In recognition of her work, she was nominated by the Taoiseach
Nominated by the Taoiseach
The composition of Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas of Ireland, is defined in outline by Article 18 of the Constitution of Ireland, which provides for 11 appointees that are nominated by the Taoiseach...
, Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
to the 12th Seanad in 1969 (following her uncle Ted O'Sullivan, who had been a TD
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
and then a senator). She then resigned her position was president of the ICA, but withdrew the resignation after it had been accepted. After advice from lawyers, the ICA executive decided that as a result of her actions, she was ineligible for the position of vice-president. In 1970 she wrote a highly-charged letter to an ICA member who criticised the stance she had taken in voting against an amendment allowing married women to become officers of the new Health Board
Health Board
The Health Board system of the Republic of Ireland was created by the 1970 Health Act. This system was initially created with eight health boards, each of which were prescribed a functional area in which they operated...
s. She told The Irish Times in 1981 that "this still stings".
In the early 1970s, Farrell started a clothing factory called Chixwear in Athlone, County Roscommon
County Roscommon
County Roscommon is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the town of Roscommon. Roscommon County Council is the local authority for the county...
, to provide an alternative to emigration for young women in the area. She took over another factory in 1976, and in all employed 96 women.
When the women journalists on the The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
drew up an all-woman "fantasy cabinet" on 14 February 1973, Farrell was one of those included. Peggy Farrell died on 17 January 2003.
See also
- Families in the OireachtasFamilies in the OireachtasThere is a tradition in Irish politics of having family members succeed each other, frequently in the same parliamentary seat. This article lists families where two or more members of that family have been members of either of the houses of the Oireachtas or of the European Parliament...