Bernard Cowen was an Irish politician. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD in 1969. He lost his seat in 1973 but was appointed to Seanad Éireann. He was re-elected in 1977 in his Laois-Offaly constituency. He was returned at each election until his death in 1984. His son, Brian Cowen was elected in the subsequent by-election. Cowen Jr. is currently the Irish Minister for Finance.