Paula Desmond was born in Carrigaline in 1963. Her mother Eileen was a Labour party T.D., Minister and M.E.P. and her father Dan was Deputy Leader of the Labour party at the time of his death in 1964.
Her early education was in Carrigaline and Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork and subsequently at university in Dublin and Cork. She was first elected to Cork County Council at the age of 21, representing the Labour party.
This picture of her with her daughter Feena was taken at her home in late 1989.