career in the 1980s, he left Fianna Fáil to join Neil Blaney's Independent Fianna Fáil. Two of Patrick Lenihan's grandchildren, Brian Lenihan Jnr and Conor Lenihan, served as Minister for Finance and Minister of State respectively in the government of Brian Cowen. Conor Lenihan and Mary O'Rourke lost their seats at the 2011 general election. Brian Lenihan Jnr was re-elected but died in June 2011, ending the Lenihans' fifty years of continuous service in the Oireachtas. Patrick Lenihan was the only member of his family to serve in the Dáil who was not appointed a Minister at some stage in his career. See also Families in the Oireachtas References 1902 births 1970 deaths Fianna Fáil TDs Irish sportsperson-politicians Members of the 18th Dáil Members of the 19th Dáil Patrick Alumni of the University of Galway Politicians from County Clare Politicians from County Westmeath Westmeath inter-county hurlers People educated at Garbally College