Olwyn Enright, the wife of former Donegal TD and minister Joe McHugh and herself a former Fine Gael TD, has taken up the reins as her husband exits the political spotlight. Her new role, announced this past Monday, will be Fine Gael’s elections director, giving her comprehensive responsibility for the party’s upcoming general election campaign across every constituency.
“Olwyn’s political experience and lineage make her the perfect individual to secure a seat in the Dáil for the party,” commented Taoiseach and party leader Simon Harris. He praised her for her invaluable counsel to Fine Gael candidates nationwide, stating, “We are privileged to have someone of Olwyn’s calibre supporting our cause. Her inclusion in my team brings me great joy.”
Enright has been collaborating closely with Harris for quite some time. Last year, he appointed her the party’s national organizational director. In this role, she had been busy streamlining election preparations in previous months, responsibilities of which encompassed addressing local disputes, persuading certain individuals to run for office while advising others against it. Recently, she managed the unexpected withdrawal of Heather Humphreys in Cavan-Monaghan. On Monday evening, she was off to Cork.
According to Enright, a “few more” will join the 71 general election candidates already chosen by the party in 41 constituencies, comprising of 41 males and 30 females. Three constituency conventions remain: Dubin North-East, where former TD Noel Rock is keen for a political comeback, Cavan-Monaghan following Humphreys’ departure, and Roscommon which is currently unrepresented following the death of the chosen candidate, John Naughten.
Enright, who became a member of Dáil over two decades ago, was one of several young TDs members including Paul Kehoe, John Deasy, and Damian English, elected on an exceedingly bleak day for Fine Gael in 2002. Her father, Tom, also had a political career as a TD.
Originally at the tender age of 27, Enright emerged swiftly within Leinster House and the party as the renaissance of Fine Gael under Enda Kenny started. In 2007 she managed to secure re-election, however, when Fine Gael regained power four years later during the economic turmoil, Enright had already departed.
In 2005, she had married Joe McHugh, a future TD and then Fine Gael senator. With two little ones (another subsequently joined them) and their households scattered across Donegal, Dublin, and Offaly, compromises had to be made.
Enright opted to exit the political frontline and did not run in the 2011 elections, transitioning instead to a vocation in public affairs that was more suitable for a family lifestyle, initially with Edelman and then DHR Communications in Dublin.
Despite the fact that McHugh gave up his party whip over the Mica debacle, Enright maintained a strong affiliation with Fine Gael. Now, as Enright steps back into the political limelight, McHugh has chosen to step down.