Biography

Former Irish President and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Mary Therese Winifred Robinson (nee Bourke) was born in Ballina, Co. Mayo on the 21st May 1944.

At 25, Mary Robinson became Ireland's youngest professor of law when she was appointed Reid Professor of Constitutional and Criminal Law at Trinity College, where she also served as lecturer in European Community Law. From 1969 to 1989, Mary Robinson was a member of Seanad Éireann.

She quickly gained a reputation as a strong advocate for human rights, campaigning to eliminate discrimination against women in Irish society. She also worked as a legal advisor in the campaign for reform of homosexuality laws.

In 1990, she was the first woman to be elected President of Ireland. While in office, she used her influence to draw attention to global humanitarian issues. She traveled to Somalia in 1992 and went to Rwanda after the genocide in 1994. When she visited Queen Elizabeth in London, it was the first such meeting between the heads of state of the two countries.

She famously put a symbolic light in the kitchen window in Áras an Uachtaráin, (the candle in the window) to remember the Irish Diaspora.

In 1997, she became United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, a post she held until 2002. In July 2009 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour bestowed by the United States.

David McWilliams Biography:

David McWilliams is an author, broadcaster and one of Ireland's leading economic commentators. He has offered compelling arguments on the state of modern Ireland, and feels the country owes a debt of gratitude to Mary Robinson's brave & tireless morality. At the heart of her greatness is the fact that, "In Ireland and around the world, her name stands for justice, moral duty and fearlessness".

Why David feels Mary Robinson is "Ireland's Greatest":

Compassion:
The grand-daughter of a fearless Mayo barrister, Mary Robinson has always had the heart to fight for those less well-off than herself, and the intellectual steel to win that fight. When face to face with victims of violence, abuse, famine or oppression, she simply listened - then she used her voice to carry their pleas.

Bravery:
Mary Robinson was never afraid to stand up to what she saw as the unfair or unsavoury vestiges of Old Ireland. She confronted the Catholic Church on issues such as contraception, adoption, single parents and abortion. She confronted the State on issues such as homosexuality and free legal aid. She has never been afraid to speak out, regardless of the personal consequences. On a global level, she stood up to and stared down politicians, presidents and superpowers - all in defence of those without a voice.

Obligation:
Born into a successful middle-class family, Mary Robinson has always seen that privilege as an obligation: to use her education, her intellect, her contacts & resources to help those where were not born into such privilege.

Leadership:
Whoever else tries to lay claim to the creation of the Celtic Tiger, or the great years of modern Ireland, it's Mary Robinson who really is the symbol of everything that was fresh, progressive, inclusive and great about this country.

Sacrifices:
Mary has been denounced from the pulpit by Archbishops & Cardinals; she has been verbally attacked & vilified by Catholics, Unionists, Israelis & Americans... She shows no fear or favour. On her role alongside Nelson Mandela in The Elders, she said "we won't be compromising just to be popular".

Legacy:
Mary Robinson dragged Ireland into the 20th Century, so that it could be a modern & proud & decent society in the 21st Century. She is an advocate for the underprivileged, known around the world for being an amazing woman, and an amazing human being. While so many of our political class do their utmost to shame, embarrass and ruin us, she is a beacon: a real reason to be proud to be Irish.