Ireland President Mary McAleese is making a presidential visit to Massachusetts this week, arriving in Boston over the Memorial Day weekend. It marks her second visit to the area as President, and her first since 1999. During the visit, she visited western Massachusetts ad Worcester last weekend, and is meeting with Irish organizations in the Boston area thrusThursday, May 28.

In 1997, McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth president of Ireland and was reelected in 2004. She is a barrister and former professor of law. Born June 27, 1951, in Belfast, she is the country's first president from Northern Ireland.

In Boston, she is scheduled to meet with Mayor Thomas Menino, Governor Deval Patrick and state Irish legislative leaders. She also will visit with several Irish organizations, including the Irish Pastoral Center, the American Ireland Fund, Irish Cultural Center of New England, Enterprise Ireland and the Irish American Partnership.

In Boston, President McAleese will be presented the Solas Award by the Irish Immigration Center at the group's 20th anniversary dinner May 27 at the Westin Copley Place Hotel.
"The President's forthcoming visit to Massachusetts will be a wonderful opportunity for her to connect with the Irish communities in Springfield, Worcester and of course, in Boston, said David Barry, Irish Consul General. "We are delighted that the Irish Immigration Center's Solas Awards Banquet will be one of the highlights of the visit. It is fitting that the President will be with the IIC this year as they celebrate twenty years of service to the Irish community in Boston."

“President McAleese has been a longtime upholder of the contributions of immigrants to their new communities and an advocate for stronger ties between Ireland and the diaspora said Sister Lena Deevy, Executive Director of the Irish Immigration Center. “She has been a valued friend to Irish around the globe and we are delighted to welcome her to Boston.
“In the 12 years of her Presidency she has personified the issues at the heart of the Irish Immigration Center. Issues of inclusion and justice and reconciliation and integration of those on the outside. 20 years is a massive milestone for IIC and we are delighted to have President McAleese with us."

The eldest of nine children, President McAleese grew up in Northern Ireland through the violent times that have come to be known as "The Troubles." Her family was one of many adversely affected by the conflict. She graduated with a degree in law from the Queen's University of Belfast in 1973 and was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 1974. In 1975, she was appointed Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Penology at Trinity College Dublin, and in 1987 she returned to her alma mater, Queen's, to become director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. In 1994, she became the first female pro-vice chancellor of the Queen's University of Belfast.
President McAleese is an experienced broadcaster, having worked as a current affairs journalist and presenter in radio and television with RTE. She has a longstanding interest in many issues concerned with justice, equality, social inclusion, antisectarianism, and reconciliation. The theme of her presidency is "Building Bridges." She is married, since 1976, to Dr. Martin McAleese, an accountant and dentist. They have three children.
(Tickets for Irisk Immigration Center's 20th anniversary Solas celebration with President McAleese are on sale now for $125. Proceeds to benefit the work of the IIC with local immigrants. To reserve tickets call 617-439-7700 or visit iicenter.org)