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Why Irish America owes much to departing president Mary McAleese

Her 9/11 response was among her finest moments in office

NIALL O'DOWD,

IrishCentral Founder

Published Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 7:20 AM

Updated Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 11:27 AM

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Irish President Mary McAleese, center, acknowledges the congregations applause after she was introduced during a mass at New York's St. Patricks Cathedral. Sitting with the President is New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, and Dr. Martin McAleese, left, the President's husband in 2002

Photo by Stock

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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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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LoyalCitizen | Nov 09, 2011, 01:09 PM EST

@rhunter67: Where did Ireland get the European funds from.......Texas.

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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.

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Rebelforce | Nov 09, 2011, 12:26 PM EST

I guess the obvious question is: Why isnt Mary McAleese Prime Minister of Ireland?

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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?

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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.

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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.

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