Mary McAleese is an Irish politician and lawyer who served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the first woman to hold the presidency who was not born in the Republic of Ireland, as she was born in Northern Ireland. McAleese is known for her efforts in promoting peace and reconciliation, particularly during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Before her presidency, McAleese had a distinguished career in law and academia. She worked as a barrister and later became the first female pro-vice-chancellor of Queen's University Belfast. Throughout her presidency, she focused on issues such as social justice, education, and the role of women in society.