Now that she is stepping down from the presidency after 14 years, a major assessment of Mary McAleese’s time in office is underway.
In a fascinating article in the Irish Times, journalist Deaglan De Breadun examined her record.
“There are few politicians anywhere who could spend 14 years in office and end up more popular than when they started.” Is one of his conclusions – and we can hardly argue with that.
He listed the obvious highlight of the 14 years – the visit of Queen Elizabeth but I think her reception for Barack Obama just the week after was a beautifully choreographed moment too. De Breadun also noted the McAleese response to 9/11 as a major plus.
Her comments on RTE radio, unscripted right after the attacks were eloquent and deeply insightful.
It was not a time for platitudes and McAleese knew it.
She stated: “It’s a crime against the very foundations of all our humanity and our hearts . . . our response to that is and has to be to stand shoulder to shoulder with our American brothers and sisters.”
McAleese had that feel and sense for the Irish abroad in a way that was clearly lacking among many other politicians back in Ireland who mouthed the platitudes but never understood it.
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It was no surprise that 9/11 was still very much on her agenda when she came to New York in March 2002. In fact the best speech I have ever heard from an Irish politician, bar none, was when McAleese spoke at our sister publication, Irish America Magazine’s, event at the Plaza Hotel.
We had cancelled our usual Irish American of the Year celebration and instead went with a tribute to those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
It was clear to us that the city was still grieving after 9/11, none more so that the Irish in the fire and police services who lost so many on those torrid times.
We invited many of the grieving families who turned up in large numbers. The sense of loss, of bravery and courage in the face of such loss was palpable.
McAleese caught the moment brilliantly.
Here is what De Breadun wrote about the occasion. “She caught the public mood….at a function in the ballroom of New York’s Plaza Hotel, which was crowded with grieving relatives and friends of firefighters and police officers of Irish origin who had perished in the inferno at the World Trade Center.
An eyewitness to the occasion, organized by Irish America magazine, recalls the hurt and the anguish that hung like a dark mist over the crowd. McAleese rose to the occasion, reducing even seasoned fire officers and members of “New York’s finest” to tears with her words of comfort and her contention that their Irish forebears “would be proud of a modern generation who have known the easy times and comfort of prosperity but who, when tested, chose the hardest road of all”.
A huge part of her success was also down to her husband Martin McAleese who transformed that role of public spouse to one of real impact.
Martin focused on Northern Ireland and on the Unionist and Loyalist community who felt estranged form the benefits of the peace process.
He took on the role of counselor in chief to many of the Loyalist leaders, showed them the Irish Republic and convinced them that there was no reason for them to fear coming south of the border.
He did a magnificent job, one that will rank with what McAleese herself achieved.
The theme of the presidency was ‘bridge building ‘ and with the Irish abroad and the Loyalist community Mary and Martin McAleese certainly achieved that and more.
Michael D. Higgins will have a hard act to follow.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Bythebay | May 21, 2012, 02:32 PM EDT
Michael D. was not the favored candidate nor the choice of the majority of Irish voters. He won only because allegations were made against the favored candidate which were proven false AFTER the election, too late then to do anything about the result. Michael D. has said he will only serve one term, enough to nicely top up his enormous pension courtesy of the Irish taxpayers.
Bythebay | May 21, 2012, 02:28 PM EDT
Mary McAleese's major contribution was Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland which was brilliant. Congratulations to her for that historic breakthrough and best wishes to her for a bright future.
Towngate | Nov 10, 2011, 06:56 AM EST
Niall: Sorry, of course your post: " Why Michael D. ... on 29 Oct @ 09.12" recognised his election but suggested he was lucky to squeeze through, and was a little tepid. Btw: One Bookmaker in Ireland paid out on him winning five days before the voting took place! That's a 'dead cert.'! - Slainte!
Towngate | Nov 10, 2011, 05:24 AM EST
Niall, a chara: Talk about a sore loser! You can't resist having a chack at President Michael D. Higgins who knocked all your selections for the post into a cocked hat! ~ He will have no trouble following someone who silently Presided over the Celtic Tiger disaster, didn't even face the public vote for her second term, and whose landmark achievements were a 9/11 speech and the visit of her Queen! - oh, and being a very nice person! ~ ~ Each to his own,of course, Niall, ~ but as Founding Editor, your significant failure to congratulate President Higgins and the Irish electorate for giving him a landslide endorsment of over a million votes, has not gone un-noticed! He is being Inaugurated Tomorrow (Friday 11/11). That might be a good time to dig up some big-hearted Irish generosity!
LoyalCitizen | Nov 10, 2011, 05:12 AM EST
@retardedpeter: It is about time you stop commenting on things you do not understand until you go back to kinder-garden and learn to read and write at an adult level.....Start with the basics. A-Z and work from there.
sirpeter | Nov 09, 2011, 09:11 PM EST
LoyalCitizen.Give it up.You are wasting your time.Nobody knows what you are talking about.I said that to you before.Even if you are trying to brainwash.It has to make some sense.
seanomelbourne | Nov 09, 2011, 04:21 PM EST
Her husband may have more time on his hands to play more golf with his UDA friends.
bunbegdonegal | Nov 09, 2011, 02:14 PM EST
Met Mary at an event in Atlanta and she was a terrific speaker and all round lovely person! And the 4 bars in the room poured complimentary Bushmills! Nice wee night!
LoyalCitizen | Nov 09, 2011, 01:11 PM EST
@feliciamaisey: If Ireland ever gets a court system that works then the truth about Mary McAleese and the other traitors will come out..............Until that day happen then Ireland will have to suffer your ignorance.
LoyalCitizen | Nov 09, 2011, 01:09 PM EST
@rhunter67: Where did Ireland get the European funds from.......Texas.
feliciamaisey | Nov 09, 2011, 12:27 PM EST
LoyalCitizen--Your posts are amusing, because they are just so stupid. Mary McAleese has been an excellent role model for oyung women to look uo , a sincere and spectacular politician and figure head, and I wish her well as she moves on to other things now.
Rebelforce | Nov 09, 2011, 12:26 PM EST
I guess the obvious question is: Why isnt Mary McAleese Prime Minister of Ireland?
rhunter67 | Nov 09, 2011, 11:52 AM EST
loyalcitizen, you are quick to put all the blame on Ireland's problems on the Americans but you don't mention of the EU and how that has sapped your country of its real independence. Stop acting like this was a giant conspiracy to cripple Ireland. Why not place some blame on the people who were buying homes, vacations, and other crap they couldn't afford?
carrickcourt | Nov 09, 2011, 11:32 AM EST
President McAleese was everywhere in the greater Irish world. I remember my young second cousin once removed James in Wellington, New Zealand being thrilled with her visit there a few years ago. James was proud of his Irish born great grandfather David, who left Ireland as a very young lad for Canada and then the USA.
timbobdennehy | Nov 09, 2011, 11:04 AM EST
hello the president in ireland is not like the president in america,the irish president has no power,the taoiseach i.e irish prime minister has all the pull.and power.the irish president just shakes hands pr.
TimWhitmore | Nov 09, 2011, 10:15 AM EST
I have unbounded admiration for President McAleese. Oh, that all public servants should serve so well.
LoyalCitizen | Nov 09, 2011, 10:10 AM EST
@jerrydonovan: How many people committed suicide during the 14 years Mary McAleese was in office based on her support for the traitors running Ireland why financing the yanks?
jerrydonovan | Nov 09, 2011, 09:57 AM EST
Loyal Citizen,are your haemmeroids acting up again?Mary McAleese was an outstanding president.She was a credit to Ireland.
donal1951 | Nov 09, 2011, 09:32 AM EST
I'll put it simply as I don't want to get into a row. My simple opinion is that I agree with Mr. O'Dowd. Mary McAleese was a fine president.
LoyalCitizen | Nov 09, 2011, 08:45 AM EST
Further to my comments the traitor known as Mary McAleese presided over treason and crimes against humanity aimed at the Irish People by stealing from Social Welfare Recipients by using opinions to judge instead of evidence..............Mary McAleese is a Nazis who should have dealt with decades ago.
LoyalCitizen | Nov 09, 2011, 08:12 AM EST
Asset stripping Ireland and giving it all away that pretentious American Corporations that did not need customers would explain why American Establishment should be thankful................Mega financing from a traitorous so called Irish President to the short sited who destroyed their customer.