Mary O'Rourke: The Mammy, portráid ilghnéitheach, chroíúil, chríochnúil de bhean a d’fhág a lorg ar chúrsaí polaitíochta go ceann na nglúnta ina diaidh, a chuir muintir a háite féin chun cinn go diongbháilte agus a bhí ceangailte go dlúth i gcónaí lena teaghlach féin, lena cairde féin agus leis na daoine a ndearna sí ionadaíocht thar a gceann.
Mary O’Rourke: The Mammy is a rich, warm, and definitive portrait of a woman who shaped Irish politics for generations, who championed her community with passion, and who remained grounded in family, friendship, and the people she served.
This powerful new one-hour episode, "Mary O’Rourke: The Mammy," celebrates the life, career, and legacy of the late Mary O’Rourke, one of Ireland’s longest-serving and most respected female politicians.
Mary O’Rourke — born in Athlone in 1937 into the well-known Lenihan family — carved out a remarkable political career over four decades. First elected to the Dáil in 1982, she went on to serve as Minister for Education, Minister for Health, and Minister for Public Enterprise, as well as Leader of the Seanad. Operating during a time when politics was overwhelmingly male-dominated, O’Rourke became a pioneering figure: articulate, shrewd, warm, and unafraid to confront controversy or challenge convention.
The documentary explores her extraordinary public journey while also revealing the private woman behind the public image. The documentary traces her evolution from a young teacher in Athlone to a commanding national voice, highlighting the influence of her family upbringing, her unique partnership with her husband Enda, and her ability to connect with people across every walk of life.
Cloch le Carn, Sunday 28th December, 7.30pm
