Mary Keane, the wife of famous playwright John B Keane, has passed away.

Mary (86) - who is often credited as her husband's greatest source of inspiration - died this morning.

Her husband passed away in 2002. They had been married since 1955.

Mary, whose maiden name was O'Connor, is survived by her daughter Joanna and sons Billy, Conor and John.

Minister of State with Responsibility for the Diaspora and Kerry TD Jimmy Deenihan has led tributes to her, saying she will be 'dearly missed'.

Minister Deenihan said, "Mary was a great support to John B throughout his career. Since John B's death Mary has continued to promote his work by attending new productions of plays all over the country.

"Mary was also a leader in the establishment of Áras Mhuire, a community nursing home in Listowel. Today we lost a wonderful woman," he added.