Ann Lenihan, the widow of former tánaiste Brian Lenihan snr, has passed away.

The mother of the late finance minister Brian Lenihan and former junior minister Conor Lenihan died this afternoon.

She is survived by her children Conor, Niall, Paul and Anita, as well as her grandchildren.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he learned of the death "with deep sadness".

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

"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."

Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O'Rourke, her sister-in-law, wrote in her 2012 autobiography that she regarded Ann as her "closest female friend".

"Ann has had a very rough ride in life - the tough times I have had are nothing compared to what Ann has endured.

"She lost her husband; she lost a little boy, Mark, at five years of age; and she lost her first-born son, Brian.

But she added: "Ann is a very lively woman, and she has always been that way."