Maureen Haughey

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Maureen Haughey (born 1925) is the widow of the late Taoiseach of Ireland, Charles J. Haughey.

Maureen Haughey (née Lemass) was born in Dublin in 1925, the eldest daughter of Seán F. Lemass and his wife Kathleen. She received her primary and secondary education in Dublin, however, she was struck down with tuberculosis in 1943. She recovered after a year in hospital, and later studied at University College Dublin where she received a degree in commerce. It was during her time at UCD when she met her future husband, Charles Haughey. They married in 1951.

Maureen Haughey is a member of a famed political dynasty. Although not political herself, her father was Seán F. Lemass, the man considered by many to be one of the most significant Taoiseachs in Irish history. Her husband was another Taoiseach and a successor of her father as leader of Fianna Fáil, Charles J. Haughey. Her brother was Noel Lemass, Jr., a former Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála, while her sister-in-law, Eileen Lemass also served as a member of Dáil Éireann. She is a competent horsewoman and well known in equestrian circles.

The Haugheys' son, Seán Haughey, has served as Lord Mayor of Dublin and is currently a Teachta Dala (TD).