Mary McAleese receives Lifetime Honorary Membership to UCD History Society.
On February 25 2026, UCD History Society presented Iar-Uachtarán Mary McAleese with Lifetime Honorary Membership. McAleese attended a Q and A in the Fitzgerald debating chamber, hosted by the society’s auditor, Tara Keogh.
Mary McAleese is a lawyer, author, academic and former President of Ireland, who served two terms between 1997 to 2011. She is Ireland’s second female president and the first woman in the world to succeed another female president.
During the Q and A, McAleese reflected on growing up in Northern Ireland, and claimed it made her “highly dysfunctional”. She reflected on how children attended segregated schools, and that she was “not allowed to play with certain children”.
McAleese fondly discussed her time at Queens University Belfast where she “took part in student debates”. It was the first time she was educated with Protestants. McAleese told the audience that she “made friends for life. Even with Unionists.”
She advised the audience to “build up the friendships but never for political reasons”.
McAleese’s time at Queens University was an important stepping stone in her career. It helped her with reporting in her role at RTÉ. McAleese shared that one of the most memorable moments of working in RTÉ was their coverage of Bobby Sands, a member of the Irish Republican Army, who died on hunger strike while imprisoned at HM Prison Maze in Northern Ireland.
“RTÉ just made a holy show of itself,” she commented.
McAleese made history during her time as president of Ireland by being the first Irish president to welcome a British Monarch. Speaking on Queen Elizabeth II's desire to visit Ireland, McAleese said “she moved heaven and earth to come in May to Ireland”.
Speaking about the state’s response to such a pivotal moment in history, she reflected on how they “took many risks but by four days, hearts were melted”. McAleese also expressed her disappointment at Sinn Féin not joining the visit. “I was disappointed to be honest.”
The Q and A was then opened to the floor for questions. To begin with, McAleese was asked about young people’s, particularly from the south, ignorance of the Troubles. In response, she answered, “I’ve always encountered a real desire here to end partition.” She continued to express the importance of listening to views from both sides.
“We’re only at the beginning of this discussion, in my view.”
One audience member asked if McAleese found the commentary on Heather Humphrey’s husband’s involvement in the Orange Order fair during the Ireland presidential election in 2025. McAleese explained she “wouldn’t be a cardholding member” but "thought it was great”.
The conversation concluded with a question on Ireland and multiculturalism. McAleesse shared she relishes “in the fact we are a multicultural place”.
“If I wanted to learn about Poland I would have to have picked up an Atlas. My grandson is sitting next to a Polish fella in class.”
The event finished with the presentation of Honorary Lifetime Membership, and a loud round of applause after an evening filled with great discussion, and a room full of laughter.