Theres something about Mary.

Mary Banotti conducts the frankest ever conversations with Ireland's Women Politicians.

A huge crowd gathered last night (Weds, 5 March) to celebrate the launch of Mary Banotti's first book There's Something About Mary: Conversations with Irish Women Politicians. Ten of the fourteen Marys interviewed for the book were present, including ministers Mary Hanafin and Mary Coughlan and MEP Mary Lou McDonald. Olivia O'Leary launched the book and paid tribute to the achievements of these courageous women who, without exception, have made a significant contribution to the life of our country.

Mary is the first name of all the women ministers in the government and of the country's two women presidents to date. SuchÊis the popularity of the name among Ireland's women political office holders that, children are inclined to believe that allÊpresidents of the country are called Mary, says first time author Mary Banotti in her new book.

The author sets out to find out what unites all the political Marys and what drives them to take the risks that are essential for success. Why do so many Marys emerge from a variety of families to take their place in public life in a country that had so few women in public life until relatively recently?

Some common experiences include the nightmare of elections, public campaigns, caution about the media, experience of failure and backbiting, family pressures and profound relief when elections were successfully over. The author states that no one who has not had the multiple experiences of political life can imagine what these experiences are like...the experience of failure can beÊtraumatic, particularly for women...in my opinion women tend to take (failure) more personally and, if they fail, have difficultyÊin coming back for more.

One issue that is discussed repeatedly is the women can have it all cliche. Of all the Marys interviewed it is notable that only two have young families. Mary Coughlan and Mary Lou McDonald discuss the trials of balancing family life with holding down a career in politics. The perennial issue of combining Êfamily life with a demanding career is touched on by all the women, many of whom sacrificed family life to get to where they are today.ÊThe book provides a snapshot of the personal and political lives of these remarkable women.