Here's The Story By Mary Mcaleese

Episodes

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01Ep 1 - Ardoyne20210524

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland charts her life story beginning with a happy and boisterous childhood, growing up in the tight knit streets of Belfast in the 50s and 60s, before the start of the Troubles when her family was subjected to brutal violence. At Queen's University she studied law before becoming one of the first women called to the Bar, and laying the groundwork for her run for the presidency in 1997, months before the Good Friday Agreement was signed. One of her last acts as president was hosting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they made their historic state visit to Dublin. Not one to rest, after her two terms as President of Ireland she studied for a doctorate in Canon Law to highlight the Roman Catholic Churches failure to protect its children from abuse. Interwoven with intimate glimpses into family life, her memoir is written and read with wit and candour, Mary McAleese's story is one about the pursuit of peace and equality for all.

The music is An Droichead which was composed and performed by Liam O'Flynn for Mary McAleese's inauguration as President of Ireland.

Photo credit - Linda Brownlee

Abridged by Penny Leicester
Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland tells her remarkable story

02Ep 2 - Living Through the Troubles20210525

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland reads from her memoir. Today, she recalls forging a career in the law, and being one of the first women called to the Bar.
Recollections follow of how daily life changed in Belfast during the early years of the Troubles.

Mary McAleese charts her life story beginning with a happy and boisterous childhood, growing up in the tight knit streets of Belfast in the 50s and 60s, before the start of the Troubles when her family was subjected to brutal violence. At Queen's University she studied law before becoming one of the first women called to the Bar, and laying the groundwork for her run for the presidency in 1997, months before the Good Friday Agreement was signed. One of her last acts as president was hosting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they made their historic state visit to Dublin. Not one to rest, after her two terms as President of Ireland she studied for a doctorate in Canon Law to highlight the Roman Catholic Churches failure to protect its children from abuse. Interwoven with intimate glimpses into family life, her memoir is written and read with wit and candour, Mary McAleese's story is one about the pursuit of peace and equality for all.

The music is An Droichead which was composed and performed by Liam O'Flynn for Mary McAleese's inauguration as President of Ireland.

Photo credit - Linda Brownlee
Abridged by Penny Leicester
Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Mary McAleese on forging a career in the law, and living in Belfast during the Troubles.

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland tells her remarkable story

03Ep 3 - The Election Campaign20210526

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland reads from her memoir. Today, it's 1997, and the peace process is making fragile progress. Mary makes a decision to run for high office on a platform of creating a spirit of neighbourliness among the fractured communities across the island of Ireland.

Mary McAleese charts her life story beginning with a happy and boisterous childhood, growing up in the tight knit streets of Belfast in the 50s and 60s, before the start of the Troubles when her family was subjected to brutal violence. At Queen's University she studied law before becoming one of the first women called to the Bar, and laying the groundwork for her run for the presidency in 1997, months before the Good Friday Agreement was signed. One of her last acts as president was hosting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they made their historic state visit to Dublin. Not one to rest, after her two terms as President of Ireland she studied for a doctorate in Canon Law to highlight the Roman Catholic Churches failure to protect its children from abuse. Interwoven with intimate glimpses into family life, her memoir is written and read with wit and candour, Mary McAleese's story is one about the pursuit of peace and equality for all.

The music is An Droichead which was composed and performed by Liam O'Flynn for Mary McAleese's inauguration as President of Ireland.

Photo credit - Linda Brownlee
Abridged by Penny Leicester

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland, makes a life changing decision.

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland tells her remarkable story

04Ep 4 - An Historic Visit20210527

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland, reads from her memoir. Today, recollections of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's historic visit to the Republic of Ireland.

Mary McAleese charts her life story beginning with a happy and boisterous childhood, growing up in the tight knit streets of Belfast in the 50s and 60s, before the start of the Troubles when her family was subjected to brutal violence. At Queen's University she studied law before becoming one of the first women called to the Bar, and laying the groundwork for her run for the presidency in 1997, months before the Good Friday Agreement was signed. One of her last acts as president was hosting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they made their historic state visit to Dublin. Not one to rest, after her two terms as President of Ireland she studied for a doctorate in Canon Law to highlight the Roman Catholic Churches failure to protect its children from abuse. Interwoven with intimate glimpses into family life, her memoir is written and read with wit and candour, Mary McAleese's story is one about the pursuit of peace and equality for all.

The music is An Droichead which was composed and performed by Liam O'Flynn for Mary McAleese's inauguration as President of Ireland.

Photo credit - Linda Brownlee
Abridged by Penny Leicester

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland, on the Queen's historic visit.

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland tells her remarkable story

05Ep 5 - The Third Act20210528

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland, reads the final instalment of her memoir. Today, after leaving high office, there's a plan to become a canon lawyer, and a new start as a doctoral student.

Mary McAleese charts her life story beginning with a happy and boisterous childhood, growing up in the tight knit streets of Belfast in the 50s and 60s, before the start of the Troubles when her family was subjected to brutal violence. At Queen's University she studied law before becoming one of the first women called to the Bar, and laying the groundwork for her run for the presidency in 1997, months before the Good Friday Agreement was signed. One of her last acts as president was hosting the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they made their historic state visit to Dublin. Not one to rest, after her two terms as President of Ireland she studied for a doctorate in Canon Law to highlight the Roman Catholic Church's failure to protect its children from abuse. Interwoven with intimate glimpses into family life, her memoir is written and read with wit and candour, Mary McAleese's story is one about the pursuit of peace and equality for all.

The music is An Droichead which was composed and performed by Liam O'Flynn for Mary McAleese's inauguration as President of Ireland.

Photo credit - Linda Brownlee
Abridged by Penny Leicester

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland, on a new beginning post presicendy.

Mary McAleese, the former President of Ireland tells her remarkable story