Overview

Jonathan Irwin is best known as the man who, following the tragic death of his son at 22 months old, set up the Jack & Jill Foundation so that other parents would not have to go through the hardship his family did to nurse their sick child at home. He is also an outspoken critic of the state's lack of support for these families. What is less well-known is his intriguing background. He was very involved in the Irish horse-racing industry and ran Goffs bloodstock sales for many years, including at the time of the kidnapping of Shergar, which is detailed in the book. He was also involved in the early days of Ryanair and we get a fascinating insight into his relationship with Michael O'Leary, who had a very different vision from Jonathan as to where the company should go. He was also head of the Irish Sports Council and was instrumental in bringing the Tour de France to Ireland for the first time in 1997. The book gives full details of the struggles to establish and maintain the charity and its ongoing fund-raising efforts.

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9781781172339

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'Tragic and poignant but also funny and redemptive...a rollicking read' * Sunday Independent *

'Tragic and poignant but also funny and redemptive...a rollicking read' Sunday Independent 20150111

Author Information

Jonathan Irwin led an apparently charmed life as the son of glamorous bohemian parents; he was educated at Eton and then at Trinity College. He worked for 35 successful years in the horse-racing industry, until the birth of his fourth child, Jack, who within 24 hours of his birth became seriously ill. During the 22 months of Jack’s life, Jonathan learned that there were no state services to help care for children like him. When Jack died he vowed that no other family would suffer the way he and his wife Mary-Ann O'Brien had, and so he set up the Jack & Jill Foundation. To date he has raised well over €48 million for the charity.

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