Visit of Mary Mary McAleese, President of Ireland to Reading Irish Centre

I had the privilege to meet the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese when she paid a special, historic visit to the Reading Irish Centre last Sunday. She was over on a presidential visit to tour the Olympic area in London and watch both the Ireland v England Rugby match on Saturday and London Irish at the Madejski Stadium on Sunday.

She came to the Irish Centre in Reading to meet with the local Irish community and see first had the hard work that is going on in organising facilities and activities, promoting Irish culture and assisting the young and elderly in the community enjoy socialising and cultural activities. I was in awe of her down to earth attitude and warmth when she spoke of the scourge of immigration that had Ireland in the last centuries, but how communities, both in Ireland and abroad in Britain and elsewhere galvanised each other and kept together even though they were apart. The President tackled this subject with insight but with a lot of warm humour as only an Irish person could. She stayed for a long period of time and chatted to everyone, making sure she shook every person's hand.

I was very impressed with her style of being down to earth and easy going to others without being arrogant or distant, but also making serious political points about the previous plight of many Irish people having to leave their homeland to find opportunities for employment and finances in other countries.

Mary McAleese is the longest serving female elected Head of State. She was elected unopposed for her second term due to her popularity.She is originally from Northern Ireland and as a catholic she had to leave her home as a child due to loyalist sectarianism. However, Mary is very much an inclusionist, publicly celebrating 12th July as well as St Patricks Day.

My roots are firmly from an Irish background as both my parents came to Britain from the Republic of Ireland in the 1950's as immigrants to find work. I felt it was a special moment for me to meet the President of Ireland and to enjoy the event which was very much celebratory.