O'Rourke, Mary

Mary O'Rourke (1937-2024) was a Fianna Fáil politician and senator.

Born in Athlone she was educated at Saint Peter's Athlone and Loreto Convent Bray. Having graduated with a BA (Bachelor of Arts) from University College Dublin she worked in the private sector before returning to study at Saint Patrick's College Maynooth where she completed a Higher Diploma in Education in 1967.

She taught history at Saint Joseph's College Summerhill, County Westmeath and began her career in politics as a member of Athlone Urban Council and Westmeath County Council from 1974 to 1987.

Elected to Seanad Éireann in 1981 on the Cultural & Educational Panel, she was returned as Fianna Fáil TD (Teachta Dála) for Longford-Westmeath in the 1982 general election.

Appointed as Minister for Education in 1987, she also served as Minister for Health from 1991-1992, Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications in 1997, and Minister for Public Enterprise from 1997-2002.

2002 saw Mary O'Rourke take a seat in the Seanad once more, where she remained until 2007 when she regained her Dáil seat, and on losing it in the 2011 general election retired from politics.

Mary O'Rourke died at the age of 87 on 3 October 2024.