Former Irish Party Leader Dead at 87

One of the most famous political leaders in Irish has moved on.

Mary O’Rourke, the former Fianna Fáil minister and deputy party leader, has passed away.

O’Rourke was 87 years old.

She’s Gone

O’Rourke first entered the political world in 1982 after being elected for the Longford-Westmeath constituency.

Several years later, she was appointed to be the Minister for Education.

In 1991, she moved over to the Department of Health but was demoted when her rabbi, Mr. Haughey, retired and was succeeded by Albert Reynolds.

O’Rourke pushed back after being relieved of her duties, so Reynolds eventually appointed her as a junior minister to settle the issue.

In 1994, O’Rourke was deputy leader in opposition.

In 1997, Fianna Fáil came back into power, elevating O’Rourke to Minister for Public Enterprise.

Over the next few years, O’Rourke would come in and out of power with the fate of Fianna Fáil tied to her political success.

Fianna Fáil leader and Tánaiste Micheál Martin commented on her passing, saying that Ms. O’Rourke was a “remarkable woman who made an outstanding contribution to Irish public life and to the modernization of Ireland.

“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.”

President Michael D. Higgins added, “The warmth of her personality was reflected in the wide appreciation held for Mary among 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.”

Her funeral is expected on Monday, and I would expect there to be a massive turnout for one of the most influential Irish political figures over the last four decades.