Mary O'Rourke bridge opening: 'She'd have loved to be here today'

By Rebekah O'Reilly

The official naming of the Mary O’Rourke Bridge in Athlone on Friday, May 1, marked what her family described as “the first real celebration” since her passing in October 2024.

And her family said her affection for the town and the river meant she would have loved to have been present for the ceremony.

The ceremony, attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and a large gathering of political colleagues, family and friends, saw the cycleway bridge named in honour of the late former minister and long-serving public representative.

Former Fianna Fáil colleagues from across the region were also in attendance, along with the Mayor of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District, Cllr Vinny McCormack.

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Speaking at the ceremony, Cllr McCormack said Mary’s legacy was “woven into the very fabric” of Athlone.

"We stand on the banks of the Shannon to officially name this structure the Mary O'Rourke bridge, a bridge that unites the East and West of Athlone, just as Mary did throughout her long and distinguished public life. Mary's career spanned over 40 years, from being the first woman elected to Athlone Urban District Council, to becoming a trailblazing Minister for Education, and Deputy leader of Fianna Fail.

"Mary was known nationally as the Mammy of the Dáil, but she has always been the Mammy of Athlone. Her impact was transformational. Her role in growing the Department of Education's Athlone base remains one of her most enduring contributions.

Mary spent her life elevating Athlone on the national stage, and it's only fitting that this bridge in her name will continue that work long into the future."

An Taoiseach Micheal Martin honoured the legacy of his former Fianna Fail colleague.

"Mary first became a member of the Oireachtas in 1981, and quickly established the fact that she was not just there to make up numbers,” he said.

“She was a substantial politician, and a woman to be reckoned with. She passionately believed in the transformative power of education, and in the growing, confident, ambitious Athlone that we see today is a part of the wonderful legacy of her work."

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, her son Cllr Aengus O’Rourke said the occasion would have meant a great deal to his mother.

“Mum, maybe in the last year when she wasn’t so well, had two wishes: to come back and see the new university in Athlone and to visit the bridge,” he said.

“It’s so fitting now that the bridge will carry her name. It means so much to us as a family, for sure, and I know it would have meant so much to her too.”

His brother, Feargal O’Rourke, reflected on both the emotional significance of the day and their mother’s lifelong connection to the River Shannon.

“It’s the first real celebration we’ve had,” he said.

“Mum grew up just down in Gentex and she won the Shannon Swim one year, so I think it’s really fitting that it’s the bridge over the Shannon.

“She loved the water. In her later years she loved driving out to the lake and sitting there watching the water, or walking by the Shannon. I think she’d have loved to have been here today, she really would.”

The bridge was named following a proposal by Cllr Paul Hogan in March of last year.

A public consultation process held last summer attracted 14 submissions, and, after a report outlining the feedback was presented, councillors agreed unanimously to proceed with the proposed name.

Cllr Aengus O’Rourke also acknowledged the role of his council colleagues in bringing forward the naming proposal.

“I just want to acknowledge the idea came from Cllr Paul Hogan, and was supported by the rest of my colleagues. I want to thank them for the idea. I’m very appreciative of their idea and it’s a fantastic honour.”

Cllr Hogan said it was important to recognise her immense contribution both locally and nationally.

“I think it’s very important that we recognise the significant contribution that Mary O’Rourke made, not just at a local level but also at national level,” he said.

“She held four senior ministries. She was Leader of the Seanad, a TD, a member of Westmeath County Council, a member of Athlone Urban District Council and a mayor. Over four decades she contributed a huge amount.”

He also highlighted the significance of naming infrastructure after a female political figure.

“We have lots of streets named after very prominent men, and rightly so, in Athlone. But in terms of females and streets and infrastructure named after females, not so much.

“I thought it was very important that we recognise the significant contribution that she made, and also the calibre of politician that she was.”

Mary O’Rourke, who died in October 2024 at the age of 87, had been Athlone’s most high-profile political figure for many years, holding ministerial roles across the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Her funeral Mass at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Coosan was attended by dignitaries including then-President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.