Former government minister and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke has died at the age of 87.

She began her career at local level, getting elected to Athlone Urban District Council in 1947 and later in Westmeath County Council.

She is however best known for her election to the Dáil in the Longford-Westmeath constituency in November 1982, going on to serve as Minister for Education, Health and Public Enterprise over the course of 40 years.

O’Rourke was also deputy leader of Fianna Fáil between 1994 and 2002.

She was a member of a famous Athlone political family, the Lenihans, and her brother Brian was also a long-standing Fianna Fáil minister in the governments of Charles Haughey. She was the aunt of Brian and Conor Lenihan, who were both TDs, with the former serving as minister of finance during the financial crash.

O’Rourke was one of the most recognisable politicians in the country for many years, serving in the cabinet of Mr Haughey and Bertie Ahern.

She lost her seat in the Dáil in 2002, going on to be appointed as leader of the Seanad. She returned to the Dáil between 2007 and 2011.

The Ceann Comhairle took a moment in the Dáil to announce O'Rourke's passing, calling her a "highly regarded and colourful" woman and extending sympathies to her family.

President Michael D. Higgins also paid homage to the late politician, writing in a statement: “It is with great sorrow that so many of her friends, colleagues and former constituents will have learned of the death of Mary O’Rourke.

Mary and so many members of her family – including her father PJ Lenihan, brothers Brian and Paddy, nephews Brian and Conor, and son Aengus – have made a distinguished contribution, and at the highest level, to Irish political life.

Mary had a shrewd and magnetic approach to politics and politicians.

As a Minister, Minister of State, Leader of the Seanad, TD, Senator and Councillor, Mary O’Rourke was a deeply committed politician dedicated to serving the public.

The warmth of her personality was reflected in the wide appreciation held for Mary amongst both the public and her fellow members of the Oireachtas, and was respected in her continuing and wide-ranging engagement with so many parts of public life in the years following her political career."

Taoiseach Simon Harris paid tribute to the former Fianna Fáil TD, describing her in a statement as "a force to be reckoned with" in both a political and personal level, adding: "she had a wicked sense of humour and a fantastic turn of phrase. However, Mary was a deft operator and her career, spanning three decades, saw her reach the top of Irish politics and take on the boy's club, with win."

Paying tribute in a post on X, Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien wrote of O’Rourke: “She was unique, one of a kind. She left a lasting legacy and served the country that she loved with such distinction.”

I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mary O’Rourke. She was unique, one of a kind. She has left a lasting legacy & served the country that she loved with such great distinction.

My condolences to Feargal & Aengus and the extended family.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. pic.twitter.com/ZDsE8k26hq

— Darragh O'Brien (@DarraghOBrienTD) October 3, 2024

Independent MEP and former RTÉ correspondent Ciaran Mullooly has said she was “hugely instrumental in the development of Athlone and the midlands over the last five decades.

“Whether you agreed or disagreed with her politics,” he continued, “nobody can doubt her extraordinary personal influence on the growth of the region and its infrastructure.”

Mary O Rourke was hugely instrumental in the development of Athlone and the midlands over the last five decades . Whether you agreed or disagreed with her politics, nobody can doubt her extraordinary personal influence on the growth of the region & its infrastructure . RIP https://t.co/Vo07ciwQmW

— Ciaran Mullooly MEP (@ciaranmullooly) October 3, 2024

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy wrote that he “really liked” O’Rourke, saying that he “had a couple of very entertaining phone conversations some years back which still make me laugh.”

I really liked Mary O’Rourke. Had a couple of very entertaining phone conversations some years back which still make me laugh.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. https://t.co/XFMjDb2Msm

— Matt Carthy TD (@mattcarthy) October 3, 2024

Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor called her a “a wonderful mentor”.

“She would regularly reach out to those who sought her opinion and advice. A mother, a minister, a teacher and a dedicated public representative, she was a trailblazer for women in Irish politics. She will be sadly missed.”

Mary O’Rourke was a wonderful mentor. She would regularly reach out to those who sought her opinion and advice. A mother, a minister, a teacher and a dedicated public representative, she was a trailblazer for women in Irish politics. She will be sadly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh… https://t.co/S6W8ON1Eaj

— James O'Connor TD (@JamesOConnorTD) October 3, 2024

Mary O'Rourke is survived by her two sons Aengus and Feargal, as well as her six grandchildren.