Her Excellency President Mary McAleese

2003

Honorary award citation

The President of Ireland, Her Excellency President Mary McAleese, received an honorary doctorate at a special University of Queensland graduation ceremony on Wednesday, March 12.

President McAleese was presented with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa in recognition for her distinguished career and outstanding contribution to Ireland’s social and economic development.

Born Mary Leneghan in 1951, President McAleese attended St Dominic’s High School before graduating with honours in law from Queen’s University of Belfast in 1973. In 1986 she completed a Master of Arts at Trinity College, Dublin and a Diploma in Spanish at the Institute of Linguists in 1994.

Before becoming President of Ireland on November 11, 1997, President McAleese achieved success as an academic and university administrator, a published author and experienced radio and television broadcaster.

In 1975 she was appointed Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College, Dublin; Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen’s University, Belfast in 1987 and in 1994 became their first female Catholic Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

She is a Barrister-at-Law of the Inn of Court of Northern Island and Barrister-at-Law of the Honourable Society of King’s Inns, Dublin.

She has been recognised internationally with numerous awards, including 13 honorary degrees, six honorary fellowships and membership of the Royal Irish Academy.

Awards

Doctor of Laws honoris causa
2003