14 Facts About Nuala Fennell

Nuala Fennell was an Irish Fine Gael politician, economist and activist who served as Minister of State from December 1982 to January 1987 with responsibility for Women's Affairs and Family Law.

Nuala Fennell served as a Teachta Dala for the Dublin South from 1981 to 1987 and 1989 to 1992.

Nuala Fennell served as a Senator from 1987 to 1989.

Nuala Fennell met her future husband, Brian Fennell, at the Templeogue Tennis Club, and they emigrated in 1957 to Montreal, Canada, where they were both employed by the Sun Life Company.

Nuala Fennell took up secretarial employment in a legal firm in Dublin, at a time when married women were frowned upon for working.

Nuala Fennell was a leading Women's Rights campaigner in the 1970s when she was part of the Irish Women's Liberation Movement, from which she resigned due to differences of policy in 1971.

Nuala Fennell was involved in setting up the first refuge for "battered women" in Dublin.

Nuala Fennell was involved in the 1975 campaign for the right to divorce in Ireland.

In 1975, Nuala Fennell became an executive member of the Council for the Status of Women.

At the 1977 general election, Nuala Fennell stood as an independent candidate for the Dublin County South constituency, but was not elected.

Nuala Fennell was elected at the 1981 general election to the 22nd Dail, as a Fine Gael TD for Dublin South.

Fianna Fail formed a short-lived following the February 1982 election, but Fine Gael was returned to office later that year following the November 1982 election and Nuala Fennell was appointed Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, with responsibly for Women's Affairs and Family Law.

Nuala Fennell lost her seat at the 1987 general election, and was nominated by the Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald to the 17th Seanad, in his last days serving as Taoiseach.

Nuala Fennell was then elected to the 18th Seanad on the Labour Panel.