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m BLP tagging + other fixes, removed: {{Persondata | NAME = Irwin, Jonathan | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = British businessman | DATE OF BIRTH = 21 June 1941 | PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Malve using AWB (12006)
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{{Short description|British and Irish equestrian businessman and charity director (1941–2023)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=June 2012}}
{{Sources|date=December 2023}}
{{COI|date=June 2012}}
{{COI|date=June 2012}}
}}
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Jonathan Irwin
| name = Jonathan Irwin
|image = Cartier Million.jpg
| image = Jonathan Irwin (1986).jpg
|image_size =
| image_size =
|caption = J.H.N.D Irwin, photographed in 1987.
| caption = Irwin in 1987
|birth_name =
| birth_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1941|6|21|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1941|6|21|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]], [[Worcestershire]], England
| birth_place = [[Malvern, Worcestershire]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|12|10|1941|6|21|df=y}}
|nationality = British
|citizenship = Ireland
| death_place =
|spouse = [[Hon. Mikaela Rawlinson]] (1964–1989){{br}}Mary Ann O'Brien (1991)
| citizenship = Ireland
| spouse = {{ubl|[[Hon. Mikaela Rawlinson]] (1964–1989)|[[Mary Ann O'Brien]] (1991)}}
|children = Seven sons (three deceased); two daughters
| children = Seven sons (three deceased); two daughters
⚫
| alma_mater = [[Trinity College Dublin]]
|parents = John Irwin{{br}}Pippa Irwin (née Stanley-Clarke)
}}
⚫
|alma_mater = [[Eton College|Eton]], [[Trinity College, Dublin]]}}


'''Jonathan Hiatt Nicolson Dermot Irwin''' (born 21 June 1941), is a former blood stock agent, auctioneer, stud owner, publisher and racetrack executive. In 1997, he founded the [[Jack and Jill Foundation]]<ref name=JJ>
'''Jonathan Hiatt Nicolson Dermot Irwin''' (21 June 1941 – 10 December 2023) was a British-Irish bloodstock agent, auctioneer, stud owner, publisher, racetrack executive and charity founder. In 1997, he founded the [[Jack and Jill Foundation]]<ref name=JJ>
{{cite web
{{cite web
|url=https://www.jackandjill.ie/who-we-are/
|url = https://www.jackandjill.ie/who-we-are/
|title=Who we are
|title = Who we are
|publisher=Jack and Jill Foundation
|publisher = Jack and Jill Foundation
|url-status = dead
⚫
}}</ref> with his wife [[Mary Ann O'Brien]], to provide home health care to severely sick babies. It was set up as a direct response to the Irwin’s experience of caring at home for their son Jack, born with severe brain damage in 1996.
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120512024839/https://www.jackandjill.ie/who-we-are/
|archive-date = 12 May 2012
|df = dmy-all
⚫
}}</ref> with his wife [[Mary Ann O'Brien]], to provide home health care to severely sick babies. It was set up as a direct response to the couple's experience of caring at home for their son Jack, born with severe brain damage in 1996.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==


=== Family and Early Life ===
=== Early life and education ===
⚫
Jonathan Hiatt Nicolson Dermot Irwin was born into an Anglo-Irish family. His father, [[John Irwin (actor)|John Irwin]], was an Irish actor, writer and a BBC producer and his mother [[Philippa Hiatt]], was a British stage and screen actress. He spent his early childhood in [[Coleshill, Buckinghamshire]] and later in [[Holland Park]], London. He was educated at [[Eton College]], Berkshire, and [[Trinity College Dublin]].


⚫
=== Personal life and death ===
⚫
Irwin was born into an Anglo-Irish family. His father, [[John Irwin (actor)|John Irwin]] (1913-1975), was an Irish actor, writer and a BBC producer and his mother [[Philippa Hiatt]] (b.1918), was a British stage and screen actress. He spent his early childhood in [[Coleshill, Buckinghamshire]] and later in [[Holland Park]], London. He was educated at [[Eton College]], Berkshire, and [[Trinity College, Dublin]].
⚫
On 22 February 1964, he married Mikaela Rawlinson, the eldest daughter of [[Peter Rawlinson, Baron Rawlinson of Ewell]] and Rawlinson's first wife, Haidee Rawlinson (née Kavanagh). He and Mikaela had four children.


⚫
Irwin divorced Mikaela after which he married [[Mary Ann O'Brien]] on 17 March 1991. With Mary Ann O'Brien, he had three sons and two daughters.
⚫
=== Personal life ===


Jonathan Irwin died on 10 December 2023, at the age of 82.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jonathan Irwin, former Goffs MD and Jack & Jill charity founder, dies aged 82 |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2023/12/10/jonathan-irwin-former-goffs-md-and-jack-jill-charity-founder-dies-aged-82/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>`Jonathan Irwin: A tireless innovator, visionary and charity fundraiser', by Guy Williams, and `Jonathan Irwin funeral takes place in Wicklow today', in The Irish Field, 16 Dec 2023, p. 6.</ref><ref>[https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/news/he-inspired-a-whole-generation-death-of-former-goffs-managing-director-jonathan-irwin-at-82-aXGB08Q9FlI3/ 'He inspired a whole generation' - death of former Goffs managing director Jonathan Irwin at 82], racingpost.com</ref><ref>[https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2023/12/30/jonathan-irwin-obituary-charismatic-jack-and-jill-founder-had-a-life-full-of-highs-lows-and-in-betweens/ Jonathan Irwin obituary: Charismatic Jack and Jill founder had a life `full of highs, lows and in betweens'], irishtimes.com</ref>
⚫
On 22 February 1964 he married Mikaela Rawlinson (b.17 July 1941), the eldest daughter of [[Peter Rawlinson, Baron Rawlinson of Ewell]], (1919-2006), and Rawlinson's first wife, Haidee Rawlinson (née Kavanagh). He and Mikaela had four children: Pirate Irwin (b.1965), Luke Irwin (b.1967), Jago Irwin (b.1971) and Samson Fortune Irwin (1982 – 2000).<ref name=Peerage>
{{cite web
|title=Jonathan Irwin
|work=The Peerage
|url=http://thepeerage.com/p42583.htm#i425829
}}</ref>

⚫
Irwin divorced Mikaela in 1989<ref name=Peerage/> after which he married [[Mary Ann O'Brien]] on 17 March 1991. With Mary Ann O'Brien, he had three sons and two daughters: Lily Irwin, Phonsie, John Irwin (died in infancy), Jack Irwin (29 February 1996 – 13 December 1997) and Molly Irwin.


==Career==
==Career==


=== British Blood Stock Agency ===
=== British Bloodstock Agency ===

Irwin's interest in racing began at Eton where he shared in a school bookmaking team with [[William Pigott-Brown]] and [[Jonathan Sheppard]], son of Jockey Club Handicapper [[Dan Sheppard]].<ref name=Sweeney>
Irwin's interest in racing began at Eton where he shared in a school bookmaking team with [[William Pigott-Brown]] and [[Jonathan Sheppard]], son of Jockey Club Handicapper [[Dan Sheppard]].<ref name=Sweeney>
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
Line 59: Line 58:
|journal=Sunday Times Magazine
|journal=Sunday Times Magazine
|date=17 June 1984
|date=17 June 1984
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}} {{title missing}}</ref> Vigors and his partner Tom Cooper he singles out as the main influences in his life. "Integrity and a knowledge of the business I learnt from them."<ref name=Finnegan>
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref> Vigors and his partner Tom Cooper he singles out as the main influences in his life. "Integrity and a knowledge of the business I learnt from them."<ref name=Finnegan>
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|last=Finnegan|first=Mary
|last=Finnegan|first=Mary
Line 65: Line 64:
|journal=Irish Times
|journal=Irish Times
|date=December 1984
|date=December 1984
}}</ref> When Vigors moved to England, the business was bought out by the [[British Blood Stock Agency]] and was subsequently renamed British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) Ltd, and went on to be one of the leading bloodstock agencies in the country.<ref name=FI>
}}</ref> When Vigors moved to England, the business was bought out by the [[British Bloodstock Agency]] and was subsequently renamed British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) Ltd, and went on to be one of the leading bloodstock agencies in the country.<ref name=FI>
{{cite news
{{cite news
|work=Farming Independent
|work=Farming Independent
Line 71: Line 70:
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref>
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref>


By his mid-twenties Irwin was to become the director and remained with the company for fifteen years until 1974.<ref name=IF>
By his mid-twenties, Irwin had become the director and remained with the company for fifteen years until 1974.<ref name=IF>
{{cite news
{{cite news
| work=The Irish Field
| work=The Irish Field
|date=17 August 1974
|date=17 August 1974
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref> During his time with the B.B.A. (Ireland) Ltd. he was perhaps best known for originating and introducing the Irish Stallion Incentive Scheme which was so successful that it morphed into the European Breeders Fund.<ref name=FI/> He was elected a Member of the [[Irish Turf Club]] 1976. Irwin forged many valuable international connections and was largely responsible for the development of the highly lucrative Japanese trade in the late sixties and early seventies.
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref> During his time with British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) Limited, he introduced the Irish Stallion Incentive Scheme which was so successful that it morphed into the European Breeders Fund.<ref name=FI/> He was elected a member of the [[Irish Turf Club]] in 1976. Irwin forged a number of international connections and was largely responsible for the development of the highly lucrative Japanese trade in the late 1960s and early 1970s.{{fact|date=December 2023}}


=== ''Irish Horseman'' Magazine ===
=== ''Irish Horseman'' magazine ===
Irwin launched ''Irish Horseman'' in the 1960s which was to become the country's most popular thoroughbred publication. With a £100 capital and the floor of his flat in Fitzwilliam Square for offices, he and two friends started the ''Irish Horseman's Magazine'' to fill a gap in Irish publishing and, having got it on its feet, he sold out to the ''Farmer's Journal''.<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|63}} The ''Irish Horseman'' was a platform to promote the Irish horse and this single aim was the overriding reason which resulted in his move to Goffs Bloodstock Sales in 1974.
Irwin launched the ''Irish Horseman'' magazine in the 1960s. With a £100 capital and the floor of his flat in Fitzwilliam Square for offices, he and two friends started the magazine to fill a gap in Irish publishing and, having got it on its feet, he sold out to the ''Farmer's Journal''.<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|63}} The ''Irish Horseman'' was a platform to promote the Irish horse and this single aim was the overriding reason which resulted in his move to Goffs Bloodstock Sales in 1974.{{fact|date=December 2023}}


=== Goffs ===
=== Goffs ===
[[File:Goffs, Irish Sunday Times Magazine, June 1984..jpg|thumb|| ''[[Sunday Times Magazine]]'': Jonathan Irwin, photographed in 1984.]]
[[File:Goffs, Irish Sunday Times Magazine, June 1984.jpg|thumb| ''[[Sunday Times Magazine]]'': Jonathan Irwin, photographed in 1984.]]


[[Robert J. Goff]] established Goffs in 1866 and was the only thoroughbred auction house in the country. Historically the 'cream' of the Irish yearling crop had up to that time been sold in England, at [[Tattersalls]].<ref>Goff's Brochure 1974</ref>
[[Robert J. Goff]] established Goffs in 1866 and was the only thoroughbred auction house in the country. Historically the 'cream' of the Irish yearling crop had up to that time been sold in England, at [[Tattersalls]].<ref>Goff's Brochure 1974</ref>
Line 87: Line 86:
In 1974 Irwin was approached by the Irish senator and racing patron Paddy McGrath to manage Goffs, then a small private company on the verge of bankruptcy.<ref name=STM/> In the same year, Goffs were advised by their landlords that their sales complex in Dublin was to be sold. Goffs, who had auctioned at Ballsbridge for more than eighty years, suddenly found themselves siteless when their landlords, the Royal Dublin Society, sold the paddocks to Allied Irish Banks for more than £4 million and then failed to come up with an alternative that satisfied either Goff's or the members of the Irish Bloodstock Breeders Association.<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|62}}
In 1974 Irwin was approached by the Irish senator and racing patron Paddy McGrath to manage Goffs, then a small private company on the verge of bankruptcy.<ref name=STM/> In the same year, Goffs were advised by their landlords that their sales complex in Dublin was to be sold. Goffs, who had auctioned at Ballsbridge for more than eighty years, suddenly found themselves siteless when their landlords, the Royal Dublin Society, sold the paddocks to Allied Irish Banks for more than £4 million and then failed to come up with an alternative that satisfied either Goff's or the members of the Irish Bloodstock Breeders Association.<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|62}}


Irwin was an early convert to the Myerscough family's brain-child{{clarify|date=April 2016}} of moving their sales to Kill, Co. Kildare. According to Irwin, "as various negotiations continued, it became clear to me that we could not return to the R.D.S. and be beholden to the same landlords as in the past with no security of tenure. I was in Australia when I heard the news that the R.D.S., whose Professor James Meenan had earlier given his blessing to the Kill project, had executed a volte-face and were back in contention."<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|63}}
Irwin was an early convert to the Myerscough family's brain-child{{clarify|date=April 2016}} of moving their sales to Kill, County Kildare. According to Irwin, "as various negotiations continued, it became clear to me that we could not return to the R.D.S. and be beholden to the same landlords as in the past with no security of tenure. I was in Australia when I heard the news that the R.D.S., whose Professor James Meenan had earlier given his blessing to the Kill project, had executed a volte-face and were back in contention."<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|63}}


Irwin felt that action was needed and got in touch with [[John Finney]] of [[Fasig Tipton USA]], an American equine auctioneer firm, who agreed to come in. Thereafter there was no great problem{{tone inline|date=April 2016}} in raising the finance but the group of underwriters had certain reservations{{clarify|date=April 2016}} about the existing management structure in Goffs. As a compromise he agreed to take the job. Thus Irwin replaced Robert Myerscough as managing director of R.J. Goff and Co. Ltd. on 1 January 1975 and oversaw the construction of the world's first purpose built bloodstock sales complex in Kill. The cost of the proposed complex to be built on a 74.6 acre site at Kill - was estimated at £1.8 million as far back as August, 1974.<ref name=IT>
Irwin felt that action was needed and got in touch with John Finney, an American equine auctioneer firm, who agreed to come in. Thereafter there was no great problem{{tone inline|date=April 2016}} in raising the finance but the group of underwriters had certain reservations{{clarify|date=April 2016}} about the existing management structure in Goffs. As a compromise, he agreed to take the job. Thus Irwin replaced Robert Myerscough as managing director of R.J. Goff and Co. Ltd. on 1 January 1975 and oversaw the construction of the world's first purpose-built bloodstock sales complex in Kill. The cost of the proposed complex to be built on a 74.6-acre site at Kill was estimated at £1.8 million as far back as August 1974.<ref name=IT>
{{cite news
{{cite news
|work=The Irish Times
|newspaper=The Irish Times
|date=October 1975
|date=October 1975
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref> According to Irwin he didn't want merely the most modern and best equipped sales complex, he also wanted a whole new approach to business within the horse industry. He was mortified "that class distinction should still be so rampant. It is difficult for an outsider to learn even how to buy a horse at a sale. Younger people just have to be attracted and to them and to everybody else my door will always be open."<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|63}}
}}{{full citation needed|date=June 2012}}</ref> According to Irwin he didn't want merely the most modern and best equipped sales complex, he also wanted a whole new approach to business within the horse industry. He was mortified "that class distinction should still be so rampant. It is difficult for an outsider to learn even how to buy a horse at a sale. Younger people just have to be attracted and to them and to everybody else my door will always be open."<ref name=Sweeney/>{{rp|63}}


Irwin's previous experience influenced the company turnover increase from £3.2 million in 1975 to £44 million by 1989.<ref name=Finnegan/>
Irwin's previous experience influenced the company turnover increase from £3.2 million in 1975 to £44 million by 1989. Many features introduced by Goffs have now become commonplace and his adaption of the Australian 'Million' incentive concept to the Cartier Million is recognised as one of the most successful innovations, introducing a whole new world of owners into horseracing.{{or-inline|date=April 2016}} The Phoenix Park racetrack was rescued from closure in 1981 and in the nine years until it was sold for redevelopment became recognised{{by whom|date=April 2016}} as the most innovative track in Europe with the second largest betting and attendance figures in Ireland.{{Relevance inline|date=April 2016}}{{clarify|date=April 2016}} It was unique in the world that every single one of the 120 races run annually at the track was sponsored.{{Relevance inline|date=April 2016}}<ref name=Finnegan/>


=== Dublin International Sports Council ===
=== Dublin International Sports Council ===
Irwin was appointed CEO of the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC) in 1993 under the chairmanship of Dr. Tony O'Reilly. The objective of the DISC was to raise Dublin's profile as a host venue for international sport and to lobby the government to provide facilities of international standard. Projects included the 1994 [[Women's Hockey World Cup]], the 1995 Men's [[EuroHockey Nations Championship]], the 1996 [[Notre Dame-Navy rivalry|Notre Dame vs U.S. Naval Academy]] [[American football|football]] game, and the first three stages of the [[1998 Tour de France]] in Dublin.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} DISC also produced a research document for Dublin to bid for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}
Irwin was appointed CEO of the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC) in 1993 under the chairmanship of Dr. Tony O'Reilly. The objective of the DISC was to raise Dublin's profile as a host venue for international sports and to lobby the government to provide facilities of international standard. Projects included the 1994 [[Women's Hockey World Cup]], the 1995 Men's [[EuroHockey Nations Championship]], the 1996 [[Notre Dame-Navy rivalry|Notre Dame vs U.S. Naval Academy]] [[American football|football]] game, and the first three stages of the [[1998 Tour de France]] in Dublin.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} DISC also produced a research document for Dublin to bid for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}


=== The Jack and Jill Foundation ===
=== The Jack and Jill Foundation ===
The [[The Jack and Jill Foundation|Jack and Jill Children's Foundation]] was established by Irwin and his wife Mary Ann, as a result of their experiences following the birth of their son Jack in 1996. Due to complications shortly after birth, Jack developed severe brain-damage, which left him without sight or hearing, and unable to swallow. In a manner that shocked Irwin, he was advised by medical practitioners to abandon the baby in hospital. After ignoring that advice, they found themselves effectively abandoned instead, with no support-system in place to help them care for Jack at home.<ref name=ORourke>
The Jack and Jill Foundation was established by Irwin and his wife Mary Ann, as a result of their experiences following the birth of their son Jack in 1996. Due to complications shortly after birth, Jack developed severe brain damage, which left him without sight or hearing, and unable to swallow. In a manner that shocked Irwin, he was advised by medical practitioners to abandon the baby in the hospital. After ignoring that advice, they found themselves effectively abandoned instead, with no support system in place to help them care for Jack at home.<ref name=ORourke>
{{cite journal
{{cite journal
|last=O'Rourke|first=Finbar
|last=O'Rourke|first=Finbar
Line 110: Line 109:
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


The family suffered significant trauma, and encountered a series of bureaucratic obstacles, before an offer of help from a retired nurse provided a catalyst which sustained them through the remaining months of their son's short life. Other nurses became involved with Jack's care, and out of the seeds of family anguish, fresh hopes grew for others.<ref name=ORourke/>
The family suffered significant trauma, and encountered a series of bureaucratic obstacles before an offer of help from a retired nurse provided a catalyst which sustained them through the remaining months of their son's short life. Other nurses became involved with Jack's care, and out of the seeds of family anguish, fresh hopes grew for others.<ref name=ORourke/>

⚫
According to Irwin, he was profoundly shocked and angered to discover that there was no respite aid available to parents in their circumstances until the baby reached the age of four. "We wanted to ensure that other families would not have to go through the same sort of ordeal, and we set up the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation to help provide a comprehensive range of support services for babies and their families."<ref name=ORourke/>


⚫
The organisation has campaigned to improve services for young children with disabilities, but Irwin said that progress towards reform of the system has been slow.
⚫
According to Irwin, he was profoundly shocked and angered to discover that there was no respite-aid available to parents in their circumstances until the baby reached the age of four. "We wanted to ensure that other families would not have to go through the same sort of ordeal, and we set up the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation to help provide a comprehensive range of support services for babies and their families."<ref name=ORourke/>


⚫
Jack and Jill provide a network of support for individual families and, since 1997, has supported 1600 families throughout Ireland.{{fact|date=December 2023}} It has raised €36 million from the private sector while receiving €4.5 million from the Irish health service. Awards received include Charity of the Year 2003, Irish Personality of the Year 2004, Irish Fundraiser of 2011 and Global Fundraiser of 2011.{{fact|date=December 2023}}
⚫
The organisation campaigns to improve services for young children with disabilities, but Irwin says that progress towards reform of the system has been slow. Jack and Jill has been providing a network of support for individual families.


==Politics==
⚫
Since 1997, the foundation has supported 1600 families throughout Ireland. It has raised €36 million from the private sector while receiving €4.5 million from the Irish health service. Awards received include Charity of the Year 2003, Irish Personality of the Year 2004, Irish Fundraiser of 2011 and Global Fundraiser of 2011.
In May 2015, Irwin joined the newly founded political party [[Renua]], which has just splintered off from [[Fine Gael]].<ref name="Journal May 2015">{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Nicky |date=14 May 2015 |title=Jonathan Irwin: 'I'm not a politician, I'm just a grumpy old man' |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/jonathan-irwin-renua-1992317-Mar2015/ |work=[[TheJournal.ie]] |location= |access-date=1 May 2023}}</ref> Irwin's wife [[Mary Ann O'Brien]], already a senator, had already joined the party and publicly declared she would stand for the party in the [[2016 Irish general election]].<ref name="Journal May 2015"/> Irwin also planned to stand as a Renua candidate in that election in the [[Kildare South (Dáil constituency)|Kildare South]] constituency, however, in August 2015 Irwin (alongside many other potential candidates that same year) pulled out from that commitment, citing health reasons. Similarly, Mary Ann O'Brien also ultimately did not run in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Downing |first=John |date=7 January 2016 |title=Renua loses its fifth election candidate in six months |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/renua-loses-its-fifth-election-candidate-in-six-months/34342630.html |work=[[Irish Independent]] |location= |access-date=1 May 2023}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Irwin, Jonathan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Irwin, Jonathan}}
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:1941 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
[[Category:People educated at Eton College]]
[[Category:British businesspeople]]
[[Category:British businesspeople]]
[[Category:Renua Ireland politicians]]
[[Category:Renua politicians]]
[[Category:People from Malvern, Worcestershire]]

Latest revision as of 17:19, 3 September 2024

Jonathan Irwin
Irwin in 1987
Born(1941-06-21)21 June 1941
Malvern, Worcestershire, England
Died10 December 2023(2023-12-10) (aged 82)
CitizenshipIreland
Alma materTrinity College Dublin
Spouses
ChildrenSeven sons (three deceased); two daughters

Jonathan Hiatt Nicolson Dermot Irwin (21 June 1941 – 10 December 2023) was a British-Irish bloodstock agent, auctioneer, stud owner, publisher, racetrack executive and charity founder. In 1997, he founded the Jack and Jill Foundation[1] with his wife Mary Ann O'Brien, to provide home health care to severely sick babies. It was set up as a direct response to the couple's experience of caring at home for their son Jack, born with severe brain damage in 1996.

Biography

[edit]

Early life and education

[edit]

Jonathan Hiatt Nicolson Dermot Irwin was born into an Anglo-Irish family. His father, John Irwin, was an Irish actor, writer and a BBC producer and his mother Philippa Hiatt, was a British stage and screen actress. He spent his early childhood in Coleshill, Buckinghamshire and later in Holland Park, London. He was educated at Eton College, Berkshire, and Trinity College Dublin.

Personal life and death

[edit]

On 22 February 1964, he married Mikaela Rawlinson, the eldest daughter of Peter Rawlinson, Baron Rawlinson of Ewell and Rawlinson's first wife, Haidee Rawlinson (née Kavanagh). He and Mikaela had four children.

Irwin divorced Mikaela after which he married Mary Ann O'Brien on 17 March 1991. With Mary Ann O'Brien, he had three sons and two daughters.

Jonathan Irwin died on 10 December 2023, at the age of 82.[2][3][4][5]

Career

[edit]

British Bloodstock Agency

[edit]

Irwin's interest in racing began at Eton where he shared in a school bookmaking team with William Pigott-Brown and Jonathan Sheppard, son of Jockey Club Handicapper Dan Sheppard.[6]: 62  By his second term at Trinity, his interest in racing had begun to overshadow his studies, when a friend of his mother's, the ex-Battle of Britain pilot Wing Commander Tim Vigors, asked him to join his Dublin bloodstock agency at IR£5 a week.[7] Vigors and his partner Tom Cooper he singles out as the main influences in his life. "Integrity and a knowledge of the business I learnt from them."[8] When Vigors moved to England, the business was bought out by the British Bloodstock Agency and was subsequently renamed British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) Ltd, and went on to be one of the leading bloodstock agencies in the country.[9]

By his mid-twenties, Irwin had become the director and remained with the company for fifteen years until 1974.[10] During his time with British Bloodstock Agency (Ireland) Limited, he introduced the Irish Stallion Incentive Scheme which was so successful that it morphed into the European Breeders Fund.[9] He was elected a member of the Irish Turf Club in 1976. Irwin forged a number of international connections and was largely responsible for the development of the highly lucrative Japanese trade in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[citation needed]

Irish Horseman magazine

[edit]

Irwin launched the Irish Horseman magazine in the 1960s. With a £100 capital and the floor of his flat in Fitzwilliam Square for offices, he and two friends started the magazine to fill a gap in Irish publishing and, having got it on its feet, he sold out to the Farmer's Journal.[6]: 63  The Irish Horseman was a platform to promote the Irish horse and this single aim was the overriding reason which resulted in his move to Goffs Bloodstock Sales in 1974.[citation needed]

Goffs

[edit]
Sunday Times Magazine: Jonathan Irwin, photographed in 1984.

Robert J. Goff established Goffs in 1866 and was the only thoroughbred auction house in the country. Historically the 'cream' of the Irish yearling crop had up to that time been sold in England, at Tattersalls.[11]

In 1974 Irwin was approached by the Irish senator and racing patron Paddy McGrath to manage Goffs, then a small private company on the verge of bankruptcy.[7] In the same year, Goffs were advised by their landlords that their sales complex in Dublin was to be sold. Goffs, who had auctioned at Ballsbridge for more than eighty years, suddenly found themselves siteless when their landlords, the Royal Dublin Society, sold the paddocks to Allied Irish Banks for more than £4 million and then failed to come up with an alternative that satisfied either Goff's or the members of the Irish Bloodstock Breeders Association.[6]: 62 

Irwin was an early convert to the Myerscough family's brain-child[clarification needed] of moving their sales to Kill, County Kildare. According to Irwin, "as various negotiations continued, it became clear to me that we could not return to the R.D.S. and be beholden to the same landlords as in the past with no security of tenure. I was in Australia when I heard the news that the R.D.S., whose Professor James Meenan had earlier given his blessing to the Kill project, had executed a volte-face and were back in contention."[6]: 63 

Irwin felt that action was needed and got in touch with John Finney, an American equine auctioneer firm, who agreed to come in. Thereafter there was no great problem[tone] in raising the finance but the group of underwriters had certain reservations[clarification needed] about the existing management structure in Goffs. As a compromise, he agreed to take the job. Thus Irwin replaced Robert Myerscough as managing director of R.J. Goff and Co. Ltd. on 1 January 1975 and oversaw the construction of the world's first purpose-built bloodstock sales complex in Kill. The cost of the proposed complex to be built on a 74.6-acre site at Kill was estimated at £1.8 million as far back as August 1974.[12] According to Irwin he didn't want merely the most modern and best equipped sales complex, he also wanted a whole new approach to business within the horse industry. He was mortified "that class distinction should still be so rampant. It is difficult for an outsider to learn even how to buy a horse at a sale. Younger people just have to be attracted and to them and to everybody else my door will always be open."[6]: 63 

Irwin's previous experience influenced the company turnover increase from £3.2 million in 1975 to £44 million by 1989.[8]

Dublin International Sports Council

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Irwin was appointed CEO of the Dublin International Sports Council (DISC) in 1993 under the chairmanship of Dr. Tony O'Reilly. The objective of the DISC was to raise Dublin's profile as a host venue for international sports and to lobby the government to provide facilities of international standard. Projects included the 1994 Women's Hockey World Cup, the 1995 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship, the 1996 Notre Dame vs U.S. Naval Academy football game, and the first three stages of the 1998 Tour de France in Dublin.[citation needed] DISC also produced a research document for Dublin to bid for the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.[citation needed]

The Jack and Jill Foundation

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The Jack and Jill Foundation was established by Irwin and his wife Mary Ann, as a result of their experiences following the birth of their son Jack in 1996. Due to complications shortly after birth, Jack developed severe brain damage, which left him without sight or hearing, and unable to swallow. In a manner that shocked Irwin, he was advised by medical practitioners to abandon the baby in the hospital. After ignoring that advice, they found themselves effectively abandoned instead, with no support system in place to help them care for Jack at home.[13]

The family suffered significant trauma, and encountered a series of bureaucratic obstacles before an offer of help from a retired nurse provided a catalyst which sustained them through the remaining months of their son's short life. Other nurses became involved with Jack's care, and out of the seeds of family anguish, fresh hopes grew for others.[13]

According to Irwin, he was profoundly shocked and angered to discover that there was no respite aid available to parents in their circumstances until the baby reached the age of four. "We wanted to ensure that other families would not have to go through the same sort of ordeal, and we set up the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation to help provide a comprehensive range of support services for babies and their families."[13]

The organisation has campaigned to improve services for young children with disabilities, but Irwin said that progress towards reform of the system has been slow.

Jack and Jill provide a network of support for individual families and, since 1997, has supported 1600 families throughout Ireland.[citation needed] It has raised €36 million from the private sector while receiving €4.5 million from the Irish health service. Awards received include Charity of the Year 2003, Irish Personality of the Year 2004, Irish Fundraiser of 2011 and Global Fundraiser of 2011.[citation needed]

Politics

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In May 2015, Irwin joined the newly founded political party Renua, which has just splintered off from Fine Gael.[14] Irwin's wife Mary Ann O'Brien, already a senator, had already joined the party and publicly declared she would stand for the party in the 2016 Irish general election.[14] Irwin also planned to stand as a Renua candidate in that election in the Kildare South constituency, however, in August 2015 Irwin (alongside many other potential candidates that same year) pulled out from that commitment, citing health reasons. Similarly, Mary Ann O'Brien also ultimately did not run in 2016.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Who we are". Jack and Jill Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Jonathan Irwin, former Goffs MD and Jack & Jill charity founder, dies aged 82". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  3. ^ `Jonathan Irwin: A tireless innovator, visionary and charity fundraiser', by Guy Williams, and `Jonathan Irwin funeral takes place in Wicklow today', in The Irish Field, 16 Dec 2023, p. 6.
  4. ^ 'He inspired a whole generation' - death of former Goffs managing director Jonathan Irwin at 82, racingpost.com
  5. ^ Jonathan Irwin obituary: Charismatic Jack and Jill founder had a life `full of highs, lows and in betweens', irishtimes.com
  6. ^ a b c d e Sweeney, Tony (1975). "Interview with Jonathan Irwin". Pacemaker.
  7. ^ a b Sunday Times Magazine. 17 June 1984. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[full citation needed]
  8. ^ a b Finnegan, Mary (December 1984). "Jonathan Irwin". Irish Times.
  9. ^ a b Farming Independent. 17 August 1974. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[full citation needed]
  10. ^ The Irish Field. 17 August 1974. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[full citation needed]
  11. ^ Goff's Brochure 1974
  12. ^ The Irish Times. October 1975. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)[full citation needed]
  13. ^ a b c O'Rourke, Finbar (February 2002). "Tragedy that led Irwin to found charity aiding families in distress". Racing Post.
  14. ^ a b Ryan, Nicky (14 May 2015). "Jonathan Irwin: 'I'm not a politician, I'm just a grumpy old man'". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  15. ^ Downing, John (7 January 2016). "Renua loses its fifth election candidate in six months". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 May 2023.

Further reading

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