Ann Lenihan, the matriarch of one of the country’s leading political dynasties, has died.

The wife of the late Tanaiste, Brian Lenihan senior and mother of the late Finance Minister Brian Lenihan junior, Mrs Lenihan died in the Mater Hospital after a short illness.

Described as the ‘belle of Athlone’, Ann Devine married Brian senior in 1958 and was described as the backbone of one of the country’ s foremost political families.

Her last public appearance was at the book launch of her sister-in-law, former minister Mary O’Rourke’s latest book ‘Letters of my Life’ in Dublin a few weeks ago. Mrs Lenihan was one of the people to whom Mrs O’Rourke wrote to as her “best female friend”.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Mrs O’Rourke paid a warm tribute to Ann Lenihan, saying she epitomised resilience, in spite of losses and health setbacks.

Funeral details are to be announced in due course.