May 2013 - Dr. Mary McAleese Receives Order of Clans of Ireland

On May 22nd Dr. Mary McAleese, 8th President of Ireland became a Companion of the Order of Clans of Ireland (CIOM) at a ceremony in Rome. The award was presented by His Excellency Mr. Patrick Hennessy, Ambassador of Ireland to Italy at the Villa Spada. Clans of Ireland was represented by Mr. Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh, Vice Chairperson. The ceremony was followed by a formal dinner attended by members of the Irish Community in Rome. Dr. McAleese was chosen to receive the Order of Clans of Ireland for her work on building bridges between the nationalist and  unionist traditions in Ireland.