2024 IRISH GUEST OF HONOR
Patrick O’Donovan, TD
Patrick O’Donovan is the Minister of State with responsibility for Office of Public Works and the Gaeltacht. Patrick previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Open Government and eGovernment, from June 2017 until June 2020. He previously served as Minister of State for Tourism and Sport. in 2016-17. He was first elected to the Dáil in February 2011.
Patrick was first elected to Limerick County Council in June 2004, topping the poll at the age of 27 with 1,485 first preference votes while also working as an industrial chemist. In a short time on the council, Patrick’s reputation as a fighter for issues earned him the honor of being elected the youngest Fine Gael Group Leader in Ireland by his fellow party members. His work was also recognized by his constituents who re-elected him with 2,254 votes in 2009. During this time he had also taken on the task of going back to college and becoming a primary school teacher. Patrick has held a number of positions during his time on the council as well as maintaining an active involvement with a number of charitable, cultural and sporting organizations.