The former Fianna Fáil TD, deputy leader and matriarch of the Lenihan political dynasty was 87 years old.
She had been in ill health in recent years.
Ms O’Rourke maintained a high profile beyond her political career, with TV and radio appearances.
She became a much loved character, nicknamed fondly as ‘Mammy O’Rourke’.
In separate posts online, her sons, Aengus and Feargal O’Rourke, confirmed the news, saying their mother had “passed away peacefully this afternoon”.
In an emotional tribute, Feargal said his mother is now “reunited with dad, the love of her life”.
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He said his mother had almost died in Christmas 2021 but had recovered, adding that in recent weeks she had been in “sparkling form – reading the paper and enjoying the visits of family and friends”.
Her son, councillor Aengus O’Rourke, also paid tribute to his mother.
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Throughout her career, she was an outspoken figure, never afraid to express strong opinions.
She 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.
Mary O’Rourke served in the Dáil, Seanad and as a minister for three taoisigh
Her son, Aengus, is a member of Westmeath County Council. Feargal is currently chair of the IDA and was a managing partner of PWC Ireland, making a significant contribution to tax incentives for US multinationals.
During her career, Ms O’Rourke served as ministers for education, health and public enterprise.
She served in the cabinets of taoisigh, Charlie Haughey and Bertie Ahern, and was a junior minister under Albert Reynolds.
She was a TD for almost a quarter of a century, from 1982 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2011.
She had two stints in the Seanad from 1981 to 1982 and 2002 to 2007, serving as leader of the Seanad.
Ms O’Rourke is predeceased by her beloved husband, Enda, who passed away in 2001.
Taoiseach Simon Harris led the tributes to the former Fianna Fáil minister saying she was a “force to be reckoned” and took on “the boy’s club”, championing her “magnetic personality” and “wicked sense of humour”.
He said: “It is with great sadness that I today 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.”
President Michael D Higgins said Ms O’Rourke had a “shrewd and magnetic approach to politics and politicians”.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“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.
“She will be much missed by many both in her native Athlone and beyond.
“May I extend my deepest sympathies to Mary’s sons Aengus and Feargal, to her grandchildren, and to all of her many colleagues and friends.
“Síocháin siorraí le a h-anam.”
Tánaiste 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.
“Her distinguished career as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, Minister for Education, Minister for Health, Minister for Public Enterprise was marked by her intelligence, versatility, and unwavering dedication. As Minister for Education she championed reform during challenging fiscal times, always supporting a liberal and holistic approach.
“It was a privilege to serve with her in cabinet from 1997-2002, where I witnessed firsthand her intelligence, leadership, and deep commitment to public service.
“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.”
Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy said Ms O’Rourke was a “truly remarkable public representative who never shirked from speaking her mind in the best interest of her constituents”.
“I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Mary O’Rourke, former Minister, TD, Senator, Leader of the Seanad, and County Councillor,” he said.
“I first met Mary over 20 years ago when I was a young aspiring politician, and she was a veteran and formidable politician with decades of experience in public service. Mary and I eventually ran on the same general election ticket in 2011 along with the late Peter Kelly.
“She was an outstanding constituency TD for Westmeath, and we must all acknowledge the transformative impact she had on the development of Athlone into one of the country’s most vibrant and prosperous towns.
“Mary was a forward-looking, reforming Minister, particularly in the Department of Education where she made far-reaching improvements to Ireland’s education system. A legacy she can be proud of as Ireland now has one of the most advanced education systems in the world.
“Her loss will be felt by all of us within the Westmeath Fianna Fáil family, and all of the constituents whom she worked so hard for over the years.
“At this time, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to my colleague, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke, his brother Feargal and all of the wider O’Rourke and Lenihan families.”
Tributes were also paid by the Ceann Comhairle and Deputies speaking in the Dáil this afternoon.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl said it had just come to his attention that “a former esteemed colleague, long serving colleague, highly regarded and colourful colleague of ours Mary O’Rourke has just passed away”.
The Chair added: “I’m sure we’d all want to be associated with expressions of sympathy to her family”.
Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan described Ms O’Rourke as a big personality and praised she and her family’s “huge contribution to public life in this country” over many years.
Sinn Féin’s Chris Andrews, a former Fianna Fáil TD, said Mrs O’Rourke was “robust” and expressed condolences.
Junior Health minister Colm Burke said he had an entertaining engagement with Ms O’Rourke when Lord Mayor of Cork.
Former Education minister Noel Dempsey had stripped the right of the Lord Mayor when visiting schools to award a half-day holiday.
“She said that if she was minister she would be far more diplomatic,” he said, adding that she told him the power would be restored.
