Cork Senator Nicole Ryan wells up with pride and love when she talks about her 15-week baby Réidín Lydia Bhreathnach.
On Wednesday, May 13, Sinn Féin’s Cork North-West Senator Nicole Ryan welcomed her first child, a baby girl called Réidín, with her long-term partner.
Reflecting on motherhood so far, the proud mother acknowledged that life ‘completely’ changed overnight following the arrival of a toddler. “Réidín is four months this week. It is the best thing, and it is the most difficult thing at the same time. Your whole life just completely changes overnight. I have a fantastic baby. She has been a dream. I am very lucky to be a mom and I am struggling through it day by day.”
Having previously suffered a miscarriage, Nicole was understandably nervous about this pregnancy, and she is thrilled to be embracing the many stages with a newborn. “We had a very hot summer which was a challenge with a newborn baby. Compared to my pregnancy which was riddled with anxiety, I never really rested until she was born. She is here so we now have new challenges, but I am very thankful for them. I am embracing every second of it.”
“I have great support around me,” stated the new mom. “My mother has been a godsend. Her other grandparents are up in Connemara, so it is a little bit challenging. My mom has been fantastic. Without her I wouldn’t be able to go back to work. I wouldn’t be able to be a senator because there is no childcare around. Childcare is a huge issue.”
Senator Ryan is due to return to political life in the Seanad in January 2027.
She admits that the thought of leaving her precious Réidín for work in Dublin occupies her mind on a daily basis. “I am looking forward to going back because it will give me a piece of time to myself and have adult conversations. Thankfully my mother has agreed to take care of her during the time that I am up there. I don’t have to drag her up to Dublin or be worried if she is okay.”
Finding the best way to navigate a full-time job and motherhood are often cited as huge barriers for females hoping to enter politics.
Nicole acknowledged that it is definitely one of the main deterrents for women. “Amongst other things like the online abuse, but you would get over that. Having a child shifts your perspective on a lot of things. All of a sudden, the things that you were worried about initially are now changing. I was always hard working and on the go. Having a baby brought it home that I need to shift around her now and I can’t always be on the go. She will always come first now. It is trying to find the balance.”
Since entering the Seanad in early 2025, Senator Ryan has introduced two bills to support women through pregnancy loss and child bereavement.
The Cork politician enjoys the political atmosphere in Leinster House. “Absolutely I think kind of just being fresh off the street and going into the Seanad before I went on maternity. I kind of gave it my all as best as I could. I am really happy. There is lots more to do and progress when I do get back.
“I am really enjoying it. It is a different type of world. I don’t think it is going to be a forever world. I feel like some people can stay in there for decades and they get very stale. I don’t want that to happen to me. Across the spectrum, you meet some fantastic people across all party lines. I have made good friends and connections there,” she added.
“I will be starting back in the new year,” revealed Ms Ryan. “I hope to hit the ground running. I have been doing bits and pieces. I have been doing a report for the health committee which I will submit next week. I am fortunate to have Ashlean Tarrant in my office who is fantastic. She has been a huge help.”
Senator Ryan confirmed that she is looking at new legislation from a national perspective on issues around domestic violence and family. “I am planning to go back to the office one day a week in October. Nationally, I am looking at new legislation. I am trying to figure out pieces of work that relate to domestic violence, family, women and pregnancy which is very much to my forefront, even more now. There are pieces that I am working on the background that I am hoping to come out.”
Turning her attention to matters in Cork North West, Ms Ryan believes the cost-of-living issue will be a key issue for families heading into the winter months. “Special education places are a huge thing now with the reopening of the schools. That is still up in the air.
“In terms of Cork North West, the roads are always a massive issue. Fuel is going to go up again and it is just trying to support people as best as we can from our perspective. It is going to be a hard winter for people I suspect,” she added.