Irish President starts state visit tomorrow

Irish President Mary McAleese will be on a state visit to Malta between tomorrow and Saturday on the invitation of President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Mrs McAleese was elected President of Ireland on November 11, 1997 and was re-elected on October 1, 2004.

She is a barrister and former professor of law. In 1994, she became the first female Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Queen's University of Belfast.

She is the first President to come from Northern Ireland, where she grew up through the violent times that have come to be known as "The Troubles".

President McAleese is an experienced broadcaster, having worked as a current affairs journalist and presenter in radio and television with Radio Telefís Éireann. She has a longstanding interest in many issues concerned with justice, equality, social inclusion, anti-sectarianism and reconciliation. The theme of her presidency is "Building Bridges".

She has been married, since 1976, to Martin McAleese, an accountant and dentist. They have three children, Emma, born 1982, and twins Justin and SaraMai, born in 1985.

During her visit, Mrs McAleese will be accompanied by her husband, Dr McAleese.