From Cork to the corridors of power: The rise and rise of the Coveney brothers

The Coveney brothers are the most influential siblings in the country. Simon, expelled from school, has negotiated our Brexit fate and could become Taoiseach. Rory is planning RTÉ's future, while Patrick is boss of one of our biggest food companies. Liam Collins on Cork's merchant princes

Global ambition: Rebecca Coveney with brothers Andrew, Rory, Tony and Simon before their round-the-world sailing voyage. Picture by Michael Mac Seeeney

Liam Collins

If Leo Varadkar is now the heart of Fine Gael, then Simon Coveney is its soul. Scion of a patrician Cork family steeped in party politics, he is one of three high-achieving brothers who overcame family tragedy to rise to the top echelons of politics, business and the media.

While Simon joined the family 'firm' on the untimely death of his father, Hugh, a former government minister, his brother Patrick climbed the greasy poll of business to lead food firm Greencore, while a third brother Rory is a key figure devising strategy behind the scenes in RTÉ.