Mary Davis Biography

Mary Davis (full name – Mary Anne Rooney) is an Irish Activist and Social Entrepreneur best known for her long-term campaigning for the inclusion and rights of adults and kids with intellectual disabilities. She is also known as the CEO of Special Olympics International (since May 2016).

Mary Davis Education

Davis is a proud graduate of St Louis Convent School, Kiltimagh, and Kinaffe National School. She is also an alumnus of Leeds Trinity University, United Kingdom, where he trained as a Physical Education teacher. While there, she got a scholarship to the University of Alberta where she got to finish her academic studies.

After that, Davis went back to Ireland and began working as a Physical Education coordinator with an organization that cares for individuals with intellectual disabilities, called St Michael’s House in Ballymun, Dublin. Davis holds honorary Doctorates in Law from the National University of Ireland, Dublin City University, and the University of Limerick. He also holds an Honorary Fellowship, obtained from the faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

Mary Davis Age

Davis is 68 years old as of 2022. She was born on August 6, 1954, in Swinford, Mayo, Ireland. She celebrates her birthday on the 6th of August every year.

Mary Davis Height

Davis stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m).

Mary Davis Family

Davis grew up in Kinaffe, Midfield. She was born to her loving parents whose names are unknown at the moment. There is no information regarding whether Davis has any siblings or not.

Mary Davis Husband

Davis is married to Julian Davis. Information about their wedding is unknown. Further details about their love life are under review.

Mary Davis Children

Davis and her husband Julian Davis take great pride in being mom and dad to their 4 children; 2 sons and 2 daughters, whose names are under review.

Mary Davis Net Worth

Davis has an annual estimated net worth ranging from $1 Million – $5 Million, which she earns through her career as a Social Entrepreneur.

Mary Davis Career

Davis has worked for Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE) as a Regional President and managing director. There he oversaw the development and growth of the Special Olympics across 58 nations in Central Asia, and Western & Eastern Europe. She has also served at Special Olympics Ireland as Chairperson.

Davis is known for working as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin, Ireland, in the year 2003. In the same year, she won a Person of the Year Award for her work in this event, and with Special Olympics Ireland. Pres. Mary McAleese appointed Davis to work on the Irish Council of State, in November 2004. She became the chairperson of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship in the year 2006. Davis works for the Irish government as a co-chair of the North-South Consultative Conference.

In the year 2011, she was a candidate for the Irish presidential election – she became a candidate after earning the needed nominations from 13 county councils. In several speeches and media columns, she has expressed how as Ireland’s President she could support the values of respect, equality, and fairness, promote community development and communities, and represent the country on an international stage. Davis however received 48,657 (2.7%) first-preference votes, making her the last in the election.

In November 2005, she ran the N.Y. Marathon to raise €80,000 for Special Olympics. Prior to that, Davis and her hubby Julian achieved the ambition of a lifetime when they climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. On July 1, 2008, Davis represented the Irish government on a climb of Mont Blanc for celebrating the beginning of the EU Presidency in France. She often serves as a guest speaker at special events and conferences across Ireland State. She also frequently contributes to Irish media outlets on many topics.

Mary Davis Special Olympics Ireland

When the Special Olympics European Games were hosted in Dublin, Ireland in the year 1985, she served as Events Director. After 4 years, she became the National Director of Special Olympics Ireland. For 3 years (1986–1989), Davis was part of the SO International Sports Rules Committee. She was also the chairperson of the SO European Development Committee from 1982 to 1986. Additionally, Davis served as the chairperson of the SO International Advisory Council for 4 years (from 1993 to 1997).

Davis was among the primary driving forces behind the state’s bid to host the Special Olympics World Summer Games in the year 2003. Davis’s track record on international and national bodies was a significant factor in bringing the Games to the state of Ireland. She became the CEO of Special Olympics Ireland in May 2016, making her the 1st chief executive officer from outside the United States in the organization’s nearly 5-decade history.

Mary Davis Political Party

She moved into Irish politics’ mainstream when Mary McAleese (Pres.) appointed her to the Irish Council of State. Davis was among the people to be appointed by the Constitution of Ireland to the body established for the purpose of advising the President of Ireland in the exercise of her discretionary, reserve powers.

She was an appointee of the Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship in April 2006, because of her track record. On May 26, 2011, she made an announcement that she would be seeking nomination for the 2011 Irish presidential election. She first run as an independent candidate where she sought nominations from 4 local authorities.

Mary Davis Controversy / Quango Payments

In the year 2011, the media reported that State quangos paid Davis almost €190,000 after being appointed to them by Fianna Fáil government ministers. Davis however refused that she did not have the political independence she claimed to have. On October 4 of the same year, she spoke about her income from her membership in 3 commercial boards and 3 states, and her income from her managing director position at Special Olympics Europe Eurasia. On her website, she also posted her P60 and had to call on other candidates to follow her lead. In the year 2010, her income was over €60,000 in director fees, plus her salary of over €150,000. This was according to figures on her earnings she published on her website.

Mary Davis Obituary

Davis is still alive and healthy. Some fans may be confusing Davis with another woman – Mary Davis (actor) who passed on on March 23, 1937.

Mary Davis Awards and Honors

Davis holds multiple achievements and distinctions. These honors include;

• Public Relations Institute of Ireland Honour Award (2007)
• Mayo Person of the Year (2004)
• Person of the Year (2003)
• Marketer of the Year (2003)
• Finance Person of the Month (July 2003)
• Woman of the Year (2003)
• Best of the Irish Award (2003)
• Woman of our Time Award – Social and Personal magazine (2003)
• Business &, Irish Independent Person of the Month (June 2003)
• Lord Mayor of Dublin Millennium Award (1998)
• Irish Tatler – 100 Most Influential Women in Ireland (1998)
• Public Relations Consultants Association “Public Affairs Award for Ireland’s Bid to host World Games” (1998)
• Irish Security Award for ‘Caring’ (1986)