Not since Eamon De Valera, considered the father of the Irish state served as Irish leader and cabinet member has another American served in an Irish government.

Zappone, 62, is openly gay and is now Ireland’s first openly lesbian minister. A high profile campaigner for same sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland last year, she has been appointed the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs by Kenny.





Born in the United States, in Washington state, Zappone was educated at Boston College (PhD), The Catholic University of America (MA) and University College Dublin (MBA) Zappone met her Irish partner Ann Louise Gilligan, a former nun, at Boston College in 1981 and the couple moved to Ireland 28 years ago. They have been a couple for 35 years.