Tributes pour in for wife of former Taoiseach Jack Lynch

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday led the tributes to the late Jack Lynch's widow, Máirín, who died on Tuesday night.

Speaking from the G8 summit in the US, the Fianna Fáil leader said during Mrs Lynch's years in the public eye as a Taoiseach's wife, she became a highly- respected and admired figure.

Mrs Lynch died in St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin, aged 87.

"The public memory of Jack and Máirín is one of deep affection," he said. "However high the circles in which they moved, their roots remained firmly in their wide circle of family and friends.

"I know that her loss will be especially felt among the people of the city of Cork for whom Máirín and Jack Lynch were held in very deep respect and affection," he said.

A remarkable woman, friends said Mrs Lynch was a stalwart in her husband's political career and during his biggest crisis, the Arms Trial, was a trusted friend and steady influence on him.

Cork politician Máirín Quinn, a friend of the Lynchs, said: "She had a keen intuitive political intelligence and would have made a fine politician in her own right. She chose otherwise and spent a lifetime supporting and sustaining her husband," she said.

A private funeral Mass for Mrs Lynch will be held on Saturday in the Church of the Three Patrons in Rathgar, the Dublin suburb where she and her late husband lived.

A second public Requiem Mass will be held in Cork's North Cathedral next Thursday at noon and her cremated remains will afterwards be buried with her late husband in St Finbarr's Cemetery.

The Bishop of Cork and Ross, Bishop John Buckley, revealed yesterday it was Mrs Lynch's wish that he would officiate at the Requiem Mass in the North Cathedral where Jack Lynch was baptised.

"Jack had many friends throughout his lifetime," said the bishop, "but Máirín was the soul of his life. Their relationship was loving and extraordinary."

Tánaiste Mary Harney said Mrs Lynch was a person of great character, dignity and grace.

"She was one of the principal driving forces behind her late husband, giving tremendous support to him throughout his political career and on into his latter years.

"She also demonstrated a great political instinct, the benefit of which was invariably felt behind the scenes," the Tánaiste said.

Health Minister Micheál Martin said Máirín and Jack Lynch were devoted to each other.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny described her as "a beautiful and gentle person, epitomising loyalty to her late husband who, it is fair to say, strode Irish politics as a colossus.

"It can't always have been easy to be constantly at the side of the man who was the most popular man in Irish politics but Máirín Lynch showed exemplary courage and commitment in supporting her husband in their life together."