LAST UPDATE | 7 Oct
THE FUNERAL MASS of former government minister Mary O’Rourke in Co Westmeath heard the Fianna Fáil stalwart “enlightened us, challenged us, and even entertained us” during her career in politics and her life.
O’Rourke, a well-known commentator who served in multiple ministerial posts, died last Thursday aged 87.
President Michael D Higgins, Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Education Minister Norma Foley and other former party ministers and members are in attendance at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan.
At the beginning of the ceremony, O’Rourke’s grandchildren brought forward symbols of her life including a photo of her and her late husband Enda, a Fianna Fáil flag, a copy of her book ‘Letters of my Life’, an Irish jersey, her mobile phone and a copy of the Sunday Independent newspaper.
Speaking during the funeral, Father Patrick Murphy gave mention to O’Rouke’s career as a secondary school teacher and her life in Athlone before her life political career.
Fr Patrick said it was “no surprise” that O’Rourke entered politics, as her father Patrick served as a TD while her brother Brian Lenihan served as a Minister and Tánaiste.
She was also the aunt of Brian Lenihan Junior and Conor Lenihan – both of whom were government ministers.
The priest also remarked at the fact that she was the first woman to be elected to the Athlone Urban District Council and was leading a political career “at a time when few women were involved in local or national politics”.
“At local level with Athlone UDC and Westmeath County Council she strived to improve the lives of those she was elected to represent,” Fr Patrick said.
O’Rourke has also served as a senator, but it was for her career in the Dáil that she was best known, having first been elected as a TD in 1982.
Fr Patrick gave mention to her time as education minister and as minister for public enterprise and, later, as a columnist and commentator in Sunday newspapers.
He added:
“Through her spoken and written words she enlightened us, challenged us, and even entertained us with her humour and wit. Mary’s contribution to public life has been enormous.”
“But politics and public service was only part of who Mary was. Family was at the heart of what was most important to her. She was devoted to her family, to her beloved husband Enda, to her children and grandchildren.”
The funeral ceremony will be followed by her burial later today in Coosan cemetery.
Following her passing, Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin expressed “deep sadness” at the loss of his party’s former deputy leader, who he described as “a cherished colleague and friend”.
“Mary was a remarkable woman who made an outstanding contribution to Irish public life and to the modernisation of Ireland.”
He added: “As a member of a great political family, her contributions, alongside those of her father, brother, and nephews, left a lasting impact on our society.”
Martin said her political career was marked by “her intelligence, versatility, and unwavering dedication” and that outside of politics, O’Rourke was “a commanding and engaging figure – an insightful observer of both political life and societal trends”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris meanwhile said: “Mary was a force to be reckoned with, both in terms of political nous and in terms of being a magnetic personality that drew people in”.
President Michael D Higgins said “Mary had a shrewd and magnetic approach to politics and politicians” and was “a deeply committed politician dedicated to serving the public”.
“She will be much missed by many both in her native Athlone and beyond,” the President said.
Includes reporting by Muiris O’Cearbhaill
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