Ms O’Rourke died peacefully on Thursday surrounded by her family at the Fern Dean nursing home in Deansgrange, south Dublin.
The former Fianna Fáil TD, deputy leader and matriarch of the Lenihan political dynasty was 87.
Her funeral mass will take place on Monday in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Coosan, Co Westmeath, at 12pm, after which she will be laid to rest in Coosan cemetery.
Ms O’Rourke was a member of the Oireachtas for nearly 30 years, serving as a senator and TD for Longford-Westmeath and Westmeath.
She was one of five members of her family have served in the Dáil. Her late father Paddy Lenihan, her late brother Brian Lenihan Snr, who was tánaiste and a presidential election candidate, her late nephew Brian Lenihan Jnr, who was minister for finance, and her nephew Conor, who was a junior minister.
Her funeral notice said Ms O’Rourke is predeceased by her parents PJ and Ann Lenihan, her brothers Brian and Paddy, her sister Anne, her nephews Mark Lenihan, Caoimhìn Lenihan and Brian Lenihan (jnr), her sisters in law Ann Lenihan, Brìd Lenihan, Gertie O’Rourke, Maureen O’Rourke, her brother in law Seamus Walsh and her much loved husband Enda.
It said she would be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sons Feargal and Aengus, daughters in law Maeve and Lisa, and her cherished grandchildren Jennifer, Luke, Sarah, Sam, James and Scott, and her sister in law Etna O’Rourke, along with her nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and large circle of friends.
Taoiseach Simon Harris led the tributes to the former Fianna Fáil minister yesterday, saying she was a “force to be reckoned” and took on “the boys’ club”, championing her “magnetic personality” and “wicked sense of humour”.
He said: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of former Minister, Mary O’Rourke. 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. 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 vim.
“She was a grassroots politician in every sense of the word and has written poignantly about the love and support of her husband and partner in life, Enda, and of the loss and grieving of his death. She sparked a conversation that many people found great comfort in.
“To all of Mary’s many friends and supporters in her beloved Athlone and beyond, I send my deepest sympathies as Taoiseach. To her sons, Aengus and Feargal, as well as her grandchildren, I am truly sorry for your loss. May she rest in peace.”
Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin also expressed his great sadness at Ms O’Rourke’s death.
He said: “Mary was a remarkable woman who made an outstanding contribution to Irish public life and to the modernisation of Ireland. 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.”
He added: “Beyond her political achievements, Mary was a commanding and engaging figure—an insightful observer of both political life and societal trends.
“Her wit and keen sense of the country, both in its present state and future potential, made her a cherished colleague and friend. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time, especially Feargal and Aengus and her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed.”
Ms O’Rourke’s son, Aengus, is a member of Westmeath County Council and her son Feargal is currently chair of the IDA and was a managing partner of PWC Ireland.
In an emotional tribute online, Feargal said his mother is now “reunited with dad, the love of her life”.
