Joan Burke

Joan Theresa Burke (née Crowley; 8 February 1928 – 27 November 2016) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, farmer and nurse who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1964 to 1981. She was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD for the Roscommon constituency at the July 1964 by-election caused by the death of her husband James Burke. Her victory made her the first woman to ever represent County Roscommon as a TD, and she was only the fourth woman to represent Cumann na nGaedheal/Fine Gael since the foundation of the state. Burke topped the poll in every single election she ever fought.

Joan Burke

Joan Theresa Burke (née Crowley; 8 February 1928 – 27 November 2016) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, farmer and nurse who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) from 1964 to 1981. She was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD for the Roscommon constituency at the July 1964 by-election caused by the death of her husband James Burke. Her victory made her the first woman to ever represent County Roscommon as a TD, and she was only the fourth woman to represent Cumann na nGaedheal/Fine Gael since the foundation of the state. Burke topped the poll in every single election she ever fought.