 She was born to Frank O'Donovan and Kitty McMahon, two prominent workers in showbusiness.Her father became well known for portraying the character of Batty Brennan in the long-running soap opera The Riordans, and her uncle was writer and actor Harry O'Donovan.She spent much of her childhood either living with her aunt in Skerries or in a boarding school, as her parents spent much of their time touring.