Mary Anne Davis (née Rooney;[1] born 6 August 1954) is an Irish social entrepreneur, activist and long-term campaigner for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Davis was a candidate in the 2011 Irish presidential election having received the required nominations from thirteen county councils.

After returning to Ireland, she became PE co-ordinator with St Michael's House in Ballymun, Dublin, an organisation caring for people with intellectual disabilities.

The primary purpose for SOEE is to empower and enable these national programmes to make sports training and competitions opportunities available for people with intellectual disabilities as well as change attitudes, foster community building, provide healthcare and influence policy.

In April 2006, Davis was appointed Chair of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, due to her track record in "generating such a tremendous response from ordinary citizens to an extraordinary experience that was Special Olympics 2003.

[19][20] On 21 July 2011, she had received the support of six county councils (Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan and Tipperary North[21]) and was thus guaranteed a place on the ballot.

She announced on The Late Late Show that she expected her campaign for the presidency could cost €350,000 and confirmed on the same programme that businessman Denis O'Brien had provided money for her campaign subject to the law and the regulations of the Standards in Public Office (SIPO), which means that any one person or corporate entity can only donate a maximum of €2,539.

[22] After reports surfaced in the media that Davis was paid almost €190,000 by State quangos after being appointed to them by Fianna Fáil government ministers, she denied that she lacked the political independence she was claiming to have.

[23][24] On 4 October, Davis released details of her earnings from her position as managing director of Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, as well as income from her membership of three state and three commercial boards.

[28] Davis also received an Honorary Fellowship of the faculty of Nursing & Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

On receiving the honorary degree from DCU, Davis said "I feel the award is an acknowledgement of what people did to make the Games so successful.

Davis frequently serves as a guest speaker at conferences and special events around Ireland[32] and is a regular contributor to Irish media outlets on a range of topics.

She was invited to represent the Irish government on a climb of Mont Blanc on 1 July 2008 to celebrate the start of the EU Presidency in France.