Former Irish president to join St Mary’s University

The former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, has been appointed as a professor at St Mary’s University in London. She will teach a MA course in Irish studies, undertake research and give two public lectures at the Catholic university’s Centre for Law and Culture.

Dr McAleese, presently a visiting scholar at Boston College, Massachusetts, has received a licentiate in canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome, and is now studying for a doctorate in the subject. She often commentates on church affairs.

She was president of Ireland for two terms from 1997 to 2011. She played a significant role in building bridges between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic following the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Dr McAleese will take up her position at St Mary’s, in Twickenham, south-west London, during the next academic year. Her appointment follows the announcement last week that Cherie Blair is to become a visiting law professor at St Mary’s.

Francis Campbell, vice chancellor of St Mary’s, said in a statement: “Not only will Dr McAleese be giving us the benefit of her rich experience through her lectures, she will also be directly engaging with our students, which I have no doubt will inspire them as they prepare for the next important step in their careers.”

St Mary’s, a former teacher- training college that was recently awarded full university status, is preparing to celebrate its one hundred and sixty-fifth anniversary. Dr McAleese said: “I am delighted to join St Mary’s at an exciting time in its growth and development and look forward to meeting both students and staff.”