Joan Burke

Joan T. Burke (née Crowley; 8 February 1928 – 27 November 2016) was an Irish Fine Gael politician, farmer and nurse.[1] She was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael Teachta Dála (TD) for the Roscommon constituency at the July 1964 by-election caused by the death of her husband James Burke.[1] 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.[2] Burke topped the poll in every single election she ever fought.[3]

Joan Burke
Teachta Dála
In office June 1969 – June 1981
Constituency	Roscommon–Leitrim
In office July 1964 – June 1969
Constituency	Roscommon
Personal details
Born	Joan T. Crowley (1928-02-08)8 February 1928 Bandon, County Cork
Died	27 October 2016(2016-10-27) (aged 88)
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Fine Gael
Spouse(s)	James Burke
Children	2

Although sometimes erroneously cited as a native of Tulsk, she was, in fact, a native of Bandon, County Cork. She first came to Tulsk to attend a friend's wedding and while there met James Burke, whom she later married in 1959. At the time of the marriage, James had already been a TD for 5 years. It was in James' native Tulsk the pair settled.[2]

As a TD, Joan Burke was a pronounced opponent of the “marriage bar” which prohibited women in Ireland from working in the public sector if they were married (the mentality of the time being that a married woman's place was in the home). She was also a noted advocate for the rights of farmers.[2]

She retired from politics at the 1981 general election.[2]