Ireland’s former president has always been vigorous in challenging the Vatican

Here’s the Story: A Memoir
MARY McALEESE
(PENGUIN IRELAND, 419 pp, £20)
Tablet bookshop price £18 • Tel 020 7799 4064

Mary McAleese was the second woman to become president of Ireland, following Mary Robinson. Both were admirable holders of the office; both brought judgement, grace and stature to the presidency. Both were lawyers, and both, perhaps, represented the last generation of Irish women who were commonly named Mary.

This Mary’s memoir takes us from tormented scenes in Belfast’s Ardoyne area to the presidential residence for Ireland’s “First Citizen”, and beyond. Among other achievements, she was the unique, historic host for Queen Elizabeth’s only state visit to the Irish Republic. She has held many esteemed positions in law, teaching and human rights. As a qualified canon lawyer, she is also known for her audacious feminist challenges to the Vatican hierarchy, including Pope Francis (whom she calls “all talk and no action”).