Celia Larkin

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Celia Larkin is a former Irish civil servant and was the longtime partner of Irish prime minister (Taoiseach) Bertie Ahern. Their relationship ended as late as April 2003. The media discovered the couple had broken up when she failed to co-host a diplomatic dinner for the visiting President of Germany, although her name, along with that of the Taoiseach, was featured on the invitations. Mr. Ahern has officially been single since his split with Ms. Larkin, however various media reports have suggested that Mr. Ahern has since 2005 been in a relationship with a new partner; long time friend Anna Bogle.

Larkin, during the period of her relationship with Ahern, regularly acted as his consort. She also occasionally engaged in civic functions in a private capacity. For example, she launched a high speed ferry, the M.V. Jonathon Swift for Irish Ferries.

Since parting with Ahern, she has expanded her chain of beauty salons, and has appeared on Reality Television, in a RTÉ show The Restaurant, a more serene forerunner to the ITV series Hells Kitchen.

In July 2005 Ms. Larkin was appointed to the board of the new National Consumer Agency, a Government funded consumer watchdog. Her appointment was reportedly made at Bertie Ahern's request.