connect 2018 • 113 On 11th November, 1997, Mary McAleese was inaugurated as the eighth President of Ireland. Mary McAleese was re-elected on Friday 1st October 2004 being the only validly-nominated candidate. She is a barrister and former Professor of Law. Born on June 27th 1951 in Belfast, she is the first President to come from Northern Ireland. She is married, since 1976, to Dr. Martin McAleese, an accountant and dentist. They have three children, Emma, born 1982 and twins Justin and SaraMai, born 1985. The eldest of nine children, President McAleese grew up in Northern Ireland through the violent times that have come to be known as ‘The Troubles’. Her family was one of many adversely affected by the conflict. She graduated in Law from the Queen’s University of Belfast in 1973 and was called to the Northern Ireland Bar in 1974. In 1975, she was appointed Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Criminology and Penology at Trinity College Dublin and in 1987, she returned to her Alma Mater, Queen’s, to become Director of the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. In 1994, she became the first female Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Queen’s University of Belfast. 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 was “Building Bridges.” Ciaran Murray is Chairman of ICON plc since March 2017, having previously served as Chief Executive Officer from Octo- ber 2011 to March 2017. Founded and headquartered in Dublin in 1990, ICON is a global leader in clinical research and one of Ireland’s most successful indigenous companies, employing over 13,000 people worldwide in 40 countries. The company is listed on the NASDAQ market and has a market capitalisation of circa $6B. Ciaran joined ICON as Chief Financial Officer in 2005 and served in that capacity until his appointment as Chief Executive in 2011. During his tenure as Chief Executive, he led ICON to record levels of growth and helped forge ICON’s repu- tation as an industry innovator and expert in transforming phar- ma R&D through strategic partnerships and alliances. Ciaran is an executive with 30 years of leadership experi- ence forged from a career spent operating in global markets in high-growth entrepreneurial companies and blue-chip multi- nationals, including PwC, Kraft Foods, Novell Inc. and North- ern Foods. Ciaran holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. He was awarded an Honor- ary Degree of Doctor of Laws from UCD in 2013 for his support of third level research and innovation in Ireland and in 2016 he was awarded the UCD Quinn School of Business Alumnus of the Year. Ciaran is also an Irish America Business 100 Honouree and in 2013 he received a Spirit of Ireland award from the Gaelic Players Association in recognition of his international business success. THE IRELAND FUNDS IN IRELAND is proud to introduce our newest Board Members CIARAN MURRAY, Chairman, ICON plc Dr. Peter Rooney is originally from Philadelphia in the States, but moved to Ireland in 1997. He now spends most of his time between Dublin and London. Peter’s uncle, Ambassador Dan Rooney, Co-Founded The Ireland Funds with Sir Anthony O’Reilly over 40 years ago. Peter has therefor been attending Ireland Funds’ events such as the New York, Boston and Palm Beach Galas from a very young age. After moving to Ireland, Peter joined the Advisory Committee of The Ireland Funds in 1999 and has been involved ever since. Dr. Rooney has recently taken over the Rooney Prize for Literature and teaches American Literature at Trinity and the American College. DR. PETER ROONEY Gary McGann is the Chairman of Paddy Power Betfair plc. Gary is also Chairman of Aryzta AG and a director of Green Reit Plc. He is the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Smurfit Kappa Group plc, one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world. He is also former CEO of Aer Lingus Group and Gilbeys of Ireland. Gary is Chairman of Sicon Ltd (Sisk Group) and Aon Ireland, and a former President of IBEC (Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation). In the not-for-profit sector, Gary is a director of Barnardos. GARY MCGANN, CHAIRMAN, Paddy Power Betfair plc MARY MCALEESE, Former President of Ireland