Politics

Matriarch of famed political family Ann Lenihan dies

Mother of late finance minister Brian Lenihan and wife of late tánaiste dies at Mater

Ann Lenihan at the funeral in 2011 of her son Brian Lenihan, formerly minister for finance, at St Mochta’s Chrch, Porterstown, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Ann Lenihan at the funeral in 2011 of her son Brian Lenihan, formerly minister for finance, at St Mochta’s Chrch, Porterstown, Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Mark Hilliard
Tue Oct 25 2016 - 20:23

Ann Lenihan, mother of late former finance minister Brian Lenihan and wife of deceased tánaiste Brian Lenihan snr, has died.

It is reported Ms Lenihan died in the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

Former Fianna Fáil TD Mary O'Rourke, her sister-in-law, had previously described Ms Lenihan as a very spiritual person who had endured a lot of suffering in her lifetime.

Ann Lenihan with Jack Chambers in early 2015 when he was selected by Fianna Fáil to contest the next general election in Dublin West for the party. File photograph: Conor McCabe Photograph
Ann Lenihan with Jack Chambers in early 2015 when he was selected by Fianna Fáil to contest the next general election in Dublin West for the party. File photograph: Conor McCabe Photograph
Ann Lenihan (second left) in October 1998 with, from left, her son Brian Lenihan (later minister for finance, since deceased); then taoiseach Bertie Ahern, late journalist James Downey; her son Conor Lenihan (later a junior minister) and sister-in-law Mary O’Rourke. File photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times
Ann Lenihan (second left) in October 1998 with, from left, her son Brian Lenihan (later minister for finance, since deceased); then taoiseach Bertie Ahern, late journalist James Downey; her son Conor Lenihan (later a junior minister) and sister-in-law Mary O’Rourke. File photograph: Frank Miller/The Irish Times

Speaking at the time Brian Lenihan jnr’s illness first came to public attention, Ms O’Rourke commented that Ms Lenihan had seen the death of her husband Brian, and of another son, Mark, who died of leukaemia.

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She was the matriarch of one of the country’s most famous political families.

Brian Lenihan snr, who she married in 1958, served numerous terms as a minister and was appointed tánaiste in 1987.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin expressed his sadness at her death.

“Ann was a loving wife who provided tremendous support in a family that gave much to public service in this country.

“She had a strong sense of service and civic duty which she instilled in each of her children. Ann had a positive outlook on life and always provided encouragement to those around her.”

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times