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Former president Mary McAleese and husband win major peace prize

McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese honored with 2011 Tipperary International Peace Award

JOHN O'BRIEN,

IrishCentral Contributing Writer

Published Monday, January 2, 2012, 4:11 AM

Updated Monday, January 2, 2012, 7:52 AM

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Martin and Mary McAleese

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Former President Mary McAleese and her husband Senator Martin McAleese have been announced as the joint recipients of the 2011 Tipperary International Peace Award.

In a statement Tipperary Peace Convention said that they “are delighted to recognize the efforts of Mary and Martin McAleese in the promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.”

The Convention stated that the theme of Mary McAleese's Presidency was 'Building Bridges' and “for many people, the highlight of her two terms as President was the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Ireland in March 2011, which undoubtedly was the culmination of President McAleese’s long and dedicated work for reconciliation.”

They stated that “along with her work for reconciliation she also used her time in office to address issues concerning justice, social equality, social inclusion and anti-sectarianism and her Presidency has been a healing one for which this and future generations will be eternally grateful. “
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The group stated that “Mary McAleese was assisted every step of the way in the work of promoting peace and reconciliation by her husband, Martin. He initiated a series of meetings with senior loyalist paramilitary leaders to pursue peace negotiations. These actions have been widely viewed as instrumental in bringing loyalist paramilitary groups to peace talks. The valuable work that he did in reaching out to people in the loyalist community enabled the development of a shared Ireland beyond violence and conflict. “

The statement went on “In view of the work carried out by Mary and Martin McAleese in promoting peace and reconciliation, Tipperary Peace Convention is delighted to announce that they are the joint recipients of the 2011 Tipperary International Peace Award.

The Award will be presented in Tipperary at a date to be announced in 2012. Mary and Martin McAleese were selected form a short list of nominees that included Her Majesty Queen Nour Al Hussein of Jordan, Former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter and Former Chief of Protocol of the United States, Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker.

Previous recipients of the Tipperary International Peace Award include former South African President Nelson Mandela, Live Aid Organizer Bob Geldof, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Prime Minister of Lebanon the late Rafic Hariri, Afghan Human Rights Activist Dr. Sima Samar, Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith and her brother the late Ted Kennedy.

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newnation | Jan 04, 2012, 01:21 PM EST

just getting the point across to you george that you know nothing about Ireland or Europe, you wish it was a stalking situation you freak

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IrelandNorth | Jan 04, 2012, 07:15 AM EST

They broke the mould when our Mary was born. She was one in a million. Alas, the Irish presidency is now back in the possessive clutches of the southern political establishment, as Sunnyside Retirement Home for cashiered career politicians. The electorate were prevailed upon by a political caste and subservient press and media to elect a bohemian lepreachaun with a Darby O'Gill demeanour.

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 03, 2012, 01:52 PM EST

I see the poster newnation is turning into an internet stalker. I guess it's like being stalked by an elephant with diarrhea--better to have him after you than in front of you.

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newnation | Jan 02, 2012, 11:56 AM EST

well done on another dumb comment George, focus on your excuse for a country, that's the real problem not a small nation on the edge of Europe...

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 02, 2012, 10:53 AM EST

CaptainCon: Your note comes very near blasphemy. To insult Blessed Mary and her 'umble 'usband is to acquire luciferic status in the eyes of many of their loyal subjects. As a penance, and if you're in Ireland, I impose three runs around the Phoenix Park in your underwear.

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faberm1 | Jan 02, 2012, 10:19 AM EST

As an Irish American, fellow lawyer and student of the Irish language, I am very proud of Mary McAleese and her work as President of Ireland. She did much to boost Ireland and things Irish whenever and wherever she was. Tá mé an-bhródúil asat a Máire! Tá brón orm nar bhí aitne agam ort nuair a bhi mé i nGleanncolmcille an samhradh seo caite. Lá eile b'fhéidir. Comhghairdeas duit!

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CaptainCon | Jan 02, 2012, 04:31 AM EST

Oh good. It has been a while since they were lauded for something. I was getting worried about them. Were they having a crisis of confidence? I mean- he is a dentist so obviously he had to be appointed in the unique way of these things in Ireland to head the Commission looking into the Magdalene Laundry issue. I believe both describe themselves as christians. His report on the Magdalene Laundry issue is bound to be controversial- we should all pray more? I am so sick of the self-congratulatory cabal who make up the establishment in Ireland and their vomitous habit of lauding themselves and each other for picking up arranged paypackets.

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