Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O'Rourke left an "outstanding legacy" to the midlands and to the nation, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.
He was speaking at the funeral mass of Ms O'Rourke, which took place in her native Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Ms O'Rourke died last Thursday, aged 87.
The mass got under way at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan at midday.
President Michael D Higgins and Tánaiste and Mr Martin were among those in attendance, along with former Fianna Fáil government ministers Dermot Ahern and Mary Coughlan.
Several members of Westmeath County Council, past and present, were also in attendance.
Ms O'Rourke is survived by her two sons, Feargal and Aengus.
Ms O'Rourke was first elected to the Dáil in November 1982. The Longford-Westmeath TD went on to serve as minister for education, health and public enterprise over the course of a political career spanning four decades.
She was deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 1994 to 2002.
At the start of the mass, gifts representing Ms O'Rourke's life were brought to the altar.
They included a photograph with her husband Enda, a Fianna Fáil flag, a newspaper, her mobile phone, her memoir 'Just Mary' and a rugby jersey, representing her love of the sport.
Speaking on his way into the funeral mass, the Tánaiste said Ms O'Rourke "was a wonderful woman, a person of extraordinary charisma who left an outstanding legacy to this locality, to the midlands and to the nation".
During his oration, Mr Martin described her as a national celebrity and "a brilliant and modern communicator".
"But these are of only passing importance," he added.
"Far more important is that she was a person of deep substance - a political leader who left public office with a record of delivering lasting progress for her community and her country," the Fianna Fáil leader said.
'Twin passions' of family and politics
Mr O'Rourke's sons Aengus and Fergal paid tribute to their mother during the funeral.
Aengus said his mother's twin passions in life were family and politics, adding that even up to the end she was wondering whether the general election will be in November or February.
He talked about his mother's simple tastes, her love of writing and reading, and her love of her native Athlone.
He jokingly mentioned her love of listening to RTÉ's Morning Ireland "from a nice hot bath", a reference to the now infamous story from March 2000 when Ms O'Rourke caused widespread amusement by revealing that she was "in the bath" when she learned from the programme about the sudden resignation of CIÉ chairman Brian Joyce.
Fergal spoke of his mother and how there was never any room for self-pity.
He said his mother never wallowed and she got on with life no matter what happened.
In a good humoured eulogy, he said his mother's death had been quick in the end "but in time for the six o'clock news on a slow news day, just as she would have wanted".
During his homily, Fr Pat Murphy spoke of Mary O'Rourke's involvement in politics and while it was not a surprise that she entered into politics, it happened at a time when few women were involved in local or national politics.
"It is no great surprise that Mary would enter politics, following in the footsteps of her father and brothers. She was the first woman elected to Athlone Urban District Council in 1974. This was at a time when few women were involved in local or national politics," said Fr Murphy.
"But Mary was blessed with that strong personality and character that allowed her to enter and to succeed in what was then a male-dominated space," she said.
"Her political achievements have been well documented and her commitment to public service is well known throughout the country. Throughout her life she worked tirelessly in the service of others."
"At the level of national politics, Mary served as a senator and TD, as minister for education, minister for health, and minister for public enterprise in various governments.
Read more: Mary O'Rourke - 'mammy of the Dáil' spent 29 years as a TD
"Over many years she has been a regular commentator and contributor on radio and television. She frequently wrote articles and opinion pieces for various daily and Sunday newspapers.
"Through her spoken and written words she enlightened us, challenged us, and even entertained us with her humour and wit. Mary's contribution to public life has been enormous," said Fr Murphy.
"But politics and public service was only part of who Mary was. Family was at the heart of what was most important to her. She was devoted to her family, to her beloved husband Enda, to her children and grandchildren," added Fr Murphy.
