O'Cathain, Detta (1938– )

Irish businesswoman and arts administrator. After a highly successful career in private-sector industry in Ireland and Great Britain, she was appointed head of the Milk Marketing Board 1985–88, and managing director of the Barbican Centre in the City of London, one of the foremost arts centres in Europe, 1990–94.

O'Cathain was educated in Limerick and at University College, Dublin. Specializing in economics and marketing, she occupied managerial posts in a variety of different companies, including Aer Lingus, Tarmac, the Rootes Group, Viyella, British Leyland, and Unigate. During her directorship of the Barbican, she secured an increase in funding for the resident London Symphony Orchestra, and organized a £9.7 million refurbishment of the Centre. She was awarded a life peerage in 1991.