Eileen Flynn (politician)


Eileen Flynn is an Irish Independent politician. Her background is in community development and activism on behalf of Irish Travellers. In June 2020, Taoiseach Micheál Martin appointed Flynn to Seanad Éireann, the Irish Senate. She is the first Traveller to serve in the Oireachtas.

Early life

Eileen and her twin sister Sally were born in Labre Park, a halting site located in Ballyfermot in Dublin City. Flynn's mother died of pneumonia at 48 when Eileen and Sally were 10 years old. Flynn subsequently struggled in school and rebelled against authority. However, Flynn credits her teachers for not giving up on her, and despite her problems both she and her twin became the first members of the Labre Park community to reach third level education in 2008. Flynn studied at Trinity College Dublin as part of an access course before attending Ballyfermot College of Further Education and later earning a degree at Maynooth University, a BA in community development.

Activism

Following the completion of her education, Flynn had been an activist and community worker for a decade, working with groups such as the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women’s Forum and Ballyfermot Traveller Action Programme. She also campaigned on issues such as housing, marriage equality, abortion rights and anti-racism.

Political career

Flynn campaigned to become a senator on the Labour Panel in the 2020 Irish Seanad election but missed out by a very narrow margin. On 28 June 2020, she became a senator upon being nominated by the Taoiseach, and in doing so became the first-ever Traveller to be a member the Oireachtas. Pavee Point, the Traveller Advocacy organisation, hailed her ascension to the Seanad as "historic", as did the National Women's Council of Ireland. Flynn stated her objectives in the Seanad will be "mental health services, unemployment among Travellers, opportunities for minority groups and getting hate-crime legislation enacted".

Personal life

Since 2018, Flynn lives in Ardara, County Donegal with her husband Liam Whyte, a settled man, and their child.