Letters from VIPs to President Mary Robinson, 1991 including two photocopies of letter from His Holiness, The Dalai Lama stating how happy he was that they had the opportunity to meet during his visit, "in spite of the pressure on you against such a meeting", referring to his visits to England and the United States and noting the growing awareness and support for the Tibetan struggle, 25/04/1991; typed letter on headed paper from Éamon de Buitléar, [writer, musician and filmmaker], thanking MR for invite to lunch at Árus [Áras an Uachtaráin, the official residence of the President of Ireland], and referring to her plans to improving her Irish, and for "The Story of the Árus", to be written, 29/01/1991.

Ref: P143/4/6/3/2

Letters from VIPs to President Mary Robinson (MR), 1995 including typed letter of thanks from Senator Edward Kennedy following condolences MR sent on death the previous month of his mother, Rose Kennedy (née FitzGerald), 10/02/1995; photocopy of fax sent by Richard Jolly, Acting Executive Director, UNICEF, thanking MR for condolences sent on death of Executive Director James P Grant, and referring to Grant speaking of MR and her visit the previous year to Somalia, the first Head of State or Government to do so, 20/02/1995; handwritten letter from Monica Barnes tendering her resignation as a member of the Council of State, and thanking MR for opportunity "during one of the most interesting periods of this Council", 07/04/1995; photocopies of faxed correspondence from Embassy of Ireland, Washington DC, USA, relating to push by Senator Edward Kennedy and other members of US Congress to have the Speaker, Newt Gingrich, invite MR to address a Joint Meeting of Congress, 21/07-06/09/1995; typed letter from United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali to MR, following the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, requesting designation of a focal point in Irish Government with whom the UN Secretariat could be in contact, and welcoming MR's personal views, 28/07/1995; typed letter and photocopy of same, from former US President Jimmy Carter to MR, in relation to lunch MR hosted for him and wife Rosalynn during their visit to Ireland, and noting they hoped to return soon, 15/08/1995; typed letter from William Smith, Northern Co-ordinator of the Shankhill/Belfast-Shankhill/Dublin Project, thanking MR for wonderful reception at Áras an Uachtaráin [the official residence of the President of Ireland], and noting the project "is a shining example of what can be done between our two countries", 29/08/1995; photocopy of typed letter from President of the Republic of Hungary, Árpád Göncz, thanking MR for her letter of congratulations on his re-election as president, 09/1995; typed letter from Tony Blair, leader of the British Labour party [later became Prime Minister], thanking MR for taking time to meet him and Marjorie Mowlam [Secretary of State for Northern Ireland] at "a very sensitive and difficult time in the peace process", noting he enjoyed the meeting and would continue to support efforts of all concerned in reaching settlement, 13/09/1995; photocopy of letter from Queen Noor, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, thanking MR for responding to her appeal to try to alleviate suffering of people of Bosnia Herzegovina (see P143/4/6/2/3), sent through the Jordanian embassy in London, 10/1995-08/11/1995; typed letter from Shaharyar M Khan, Special Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations Assistance Mission to Rwanda, apologising for being unable to surface during MR's visit to Rwanda, after being stricken with Malaria, and thanking MR for being the only "Head of State who has seen the shattered Rwanda of last year and the current signs of recovery", 11/10/1995; typed letter from Jack Valenti, President and Chief Executive Officer, Motion Picture Association of America Inc., thanking her for her visit, 20/10/1995; typed letter from Lord Howe [Sir Geoffrey Howe, former Deputy Prime Minister of UK], thanking MR for sending copy of her Herman Phleger lecture at Stanford University, and referring to Peace Process and Round Table Seminar he was going to be attending in Ireland, 13/11/1995; typed letter from Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, President of Iceland, with handwritten note, referring to telephone call between her and MR, and referring to the International Women's Leadership Forum taking place in Stockholm in May 1996, and Robinson's visit to Iceland in Spring 1996, 17/11/1995; typed letter from United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stating on record his deep appreciation for Ireland's steadfast support for the UN since Ireland became a member in 1955, on occasion of Conference of the Irish United Nations Association, held to mark 50th anniversary of UN, 01/12/1995; typed letter from US President Bill Clinton, following warm reception on his visit to Ireland, and applauding work of Irish and UK Governments towards peace in Northern Ireland, with handwritten note, stating he was looking forward to her visit to US the following year, 04/12/1995; typed letter from President F W De Klerk, South Africa, thanking MR for hospitality shown during his visit to Ireland with wife Marike, 08/12/1995; typed letter of thanks from Frank Longford, 7th Earl of Longford [British politician and social reformer], for message sent by MR, most likely following his 90th birthday, 19/12/1995; typed letter from John Major, Prime Minister, United Kingdom, officially inviting MR to UK as guest of British Government, June of 1996, and noting the substantial progress on Northern Ireland, 21/12/1995; typed letter from Pasteur Bizimungu, President of the Republic of Rwanda, thanking MR for her visit, and "rare gesture of solidarity to have visited Rwanda for the second time within the same year", sent via the Embassies of Rwanda and Ireland, in London, 27/12/1995.

Ref: P143/4/6/3/6

Letters from VIPs to President Mary Robinson (MR), 1996 including typed letter from Nelson Mandela, President of Republic of South Africa, noting his delight with MR's acceptance of an earlier invitation to visit in March 1996, and that Ireland had always "been dear to [him] with its strong Anti-Apartheid Movement in the past and its unstinting support in [their] struggle towards a democratic South Africa", [01/1996?]; typed letter from Senator Edward Kennedy, thanking MR for a recent letter, wishing her well for 1996, complimenting her on her address on human rights at Yale University, and noting he was looking forward to her visit, 02/01/1996; letter of thanks from Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien for book on Grosse Isle [aka Grosse Île] which was given to him on her recommendation, and for her compliments on his knowledge of the contribution made by Irish settlers to the development of the Province of Quebec, 08/01/1996; typed letter of thanks from Prime Minister of Japan Tomiichi Murayama, on his resignation from office for the good will extended during his term, 13/01/1996; typed letter from Senator Kennedy enclosing copy of letter he sent Ambassador Madeline Albright recommending that United States support MR for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations, and copy of response from MR stating she did not want to be considered for the role 27/02-15/03/1996; card from the Sultan of Brunei wishing MR happy 1996, with cover letter from Catherine Moloney, Department of the Taoiseach, 05-12/03/1996; letter of thanks from Michael Hardie Boys, Governor-General, New Zealand, for invite to Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of the President of Ireland] during his visit to Ireland with his wife, 04/04/1996; letter from Derek Hill [English artist who was associated with painting style on Tory Ireland, who donated art collection and his house to Ireland in 1981 and who was given honorary Irish citizenship in 1999] congratulating MR on her work, 14/05/199[6?]; letter of thanks from Martii Ahtisaari, President of the Republic of Finland, for hospitality shown during his visit to Ireland with his wife Eeva, 23/05/1996; handwritten letter from singer Christy Moore, thanking MR for inviting him to perform in her honour at concert in Paris , and enclosing set list, 25/05/1996; handwritten letters from artist Louis le Brocquy, thanking her and Nick Robinson for attending his exhibition and for her thoughtful initiative on behalf of Irish artists "l'Imaginaire Irlandais", 26/05/1996, 02/11/1996; typed letter from President FW De Klerk, South Africa, concerning her recent visit, and giving explanation and background for the decision of the National Party to withdraw from the Government of National Unity, which was made at that time, 27/05/1996; handwritten note from Peter Brooke [politician and member of the British Conservative Party], apologising for being unable to attend a banquet in her honour during her visit to London, but noting he would be accepting the invitation from the Irish Ambassador to the reception in MR's honour, 03/06/1996; typed letter on "Highgrove House" headed paper, from Prince Charles, British Royal family, referring to MR's attendance at an event for his Trust while visiting the UK, 10/06/1996; fax from Ann Sharpe, Duty Officer, British Embassy, Dublin noting text of message from Queen Elizabeth II to MR following message of condolence from MR after an IRA bomb exploded in Manchester, killing 7 people, 15/06/1996; typed letter from John A Dalton, Secretary of the Navy, United States of America, following MR's visit to USA, 17/06/1996; letter of thanks from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, for MR's letter of support, [most likely on occasion of the provisional adoption of the new Constitution, May 1996], and noting the Irish people's solidarity, and the support of the Government and MR's personal interest in the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 11/07/1996; correspondence between Bernie Guerin, mother of Irish Journalist Veronica Guerin [murdered in a contract killing believed to have been ordered by a South Dublin-based drug cartel, in June 1996], and MR including thank you note to MR for attending Veronica's funeral, and for sending a note for a memory box for Veronica's son Cathal, and thank-you note for sending flowers on Veronica's 1st anniversary, 11/07/1996-28/06/1997; handwritten thank you card from Radio presenter, Joe Duffy, for MR's "courtesy, kindness and good natured barter at the opening of the Ballyfermot Arts Festival", 15/07/1996; handwritten note from Máirín Lynch, wife of former Taoiseach Jack Lynch, thanking MR for bouquet of flowers, with note of thanks from Jack at bottom, 15/07/1996; typed thank-you letter from Hilda Tweedy [Irish women's rights activist. A founding member and leader of the Irish Housewives' Association (IHA)] and husband Robert for flowers sent on their 60th anniversary, 20/07/1996; handwritten note of thanks from Judge Hubert Wine, for message from MR which was read out at the event to mark the endorsement of a lecture room in his name in the Law faculty of the Hebrew University, 22/07/1996; handwritten letter of thanks from Joan Wilson, widow of Gordon Wilson [see archivist's note], for the foreword written by MR for a biography of Gordan, by Alf McCreary, 13/08/1996; thank-you card from Irish athlete Sonia O'Sullivan for the support, encouragement and "also the kind and strong words", prior, during and following a disappointing Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA, 29/08/1996; typed letter from Cahal Daly, Archbishop of Armagh ahead of announcement on his retirement, letting her know in advance, thanking her for her courtesy and kindness and congratulating her on her work to transform attitudes towards Ireland in Britain and towards peace in Northern Ireland, 30/09/1996; typed letter from Erskine Childers, thanking MR on behalf of his family for her attendance at ceremony for his father, Erskine Barton Childers (EBC), who passed away previous month [EBC was son of former President of Ireland Erskine Hamilton Childers who died in office in 1974, and grandson of Robert Erskine Childers who was executed during the Irish Civil War], 18/09/1996; handwritten letter from Loretta Brennan Glucksman thanking MR for welcome, and noting their time relaxing in her home, 30/10/1996; handwritten card in Irish from Ken Whitaker, thanking MR for flowers sent for his 80th birthday, 10/12/1996.

[Archivist's note: Gordon Wilson, a draper from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, survived the IRA bombing at Enniskillen, 08/11/1987, but lost his daughter, Marie, who died from her injuries. He became known internationally as a peace campaigner. He died 27/06/1995 ].

Ref: P143/4/6/3/8

Correspondence from the public to President Mary Robinson (MR), with some photocopies of responses, and some newspaper cuttings 1991, including several letters congratulating MR on her election and inauguration, from Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, India, America and Canada. Also includes letter from Michael Cawley, Centrepoint Acupuncture Pain Clinic enquiring about presence of Dr Saleem Khan at MR's inauguration considering he was under investigation by medical body in China and elsewhere, and response from Bride Rosney noting he was at inauguration as a representative of the Islamic community since the Imam could not attend, 12/12/1990-02/01/1991; letter from Tommy Cullen who was MR's Deputy Director of elections in Wicklow Constituency, requesting she send thank-you notes to list of names involved in local campaign, and inviting MR to visit area, with response, 12/12/1990-14/01/1991; letter from Hélène Le Bel, Justice of the Québec Superior Court, Canada, congratulating MR on her election and enclosing newspaper cutting covering it from "Le Devoir", Montréal, 10/11/1990-15/01/1991; letter and background promotional material from Maria Rodríguez-Jonas, General Secretary, Socialist International Women, thanking MR for hosting her, and listing women she had passed on MR's wish to touch base with women in high positions at International level, 31/01/1991; letter from Sr Francis McAleer, Good Shepherd Provincialate, Dublin, with first annual report of Project with women Involved in Prostitution, with thank-you response from MR, 02/04-17/05/1991; handwritten letter from Mr James O'Hara, Swinford, and enrolment card for the Robinson family in Knock Shrine [Co. Mayo] Friends Association, which he had enrolled the family in, 16-29/05/1991.

Ref: P143/4/6/4/2

Correspondence from the public to President Mary Robinson (MR), with some photocopies of responses, 1995, including from Muireann Ó Briain, who had been hired by an organisation based in Bangkok, Thailand, which was trying to combat child prostitution, and asking for any introductions she may have, 17/02-03/03/1995; fax from Niamh Reilly, Center for Women's Global Leadership, Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA, inviting MR to be a judge at Beijing tribunal, 25/07/1995; letter from Michael Farrell, Chairperson, Irish Council for Civil Liberties, thanking MR for donating the honorarium from lecture at Yale Law School to them and to colleagues in the Committee on Administration of Justice in Belfast, 20/11/1995.

Ref: P143/4/6/4/6

Correspondence from the public to President Mary Robinson (MR), 199[0]-199[7], including thank you letter from Tom Hyland, East Timor Ireland Solidarity campaign, Christmas card from Hannah Mc [Creesh?], card from Sr Aquinas thanking MR for "going to Somalia for us", and thank-you card for invite to garden party at Áras an Uachtaráin, from Clare Fulham.

Ref: P143/4/6/4/9

Book of cards sent by 4th class [9/10 years old] pupils of Presentation Convent, Millstreet, County Cork, with cover letter from Sr Geraldine, and photocopy of thank you note from Ann Lane on behalf of Mary Robinson, 13/11-02/12/1991.

[Archivist's note: the book of cards was bound loosely with wool ribbon. For ease of access to each individual card and to avoid damage through handling, the ribbon was removed.]

Ref: P143/4/6/5/3

Folder of artwork and poems from students aged 4 to 12, to mark Mary Robinson's visit to Scoil Eoin, Kilbarrack, 11/1992.

[Archivist's note: the folder of individual items was tightly tied. For ease of access to each individual item and to avoid damage through handling, the tie was loosened.]

Ref: P143/4/6/5/5

Large scrapbook, with dark green leather cover with gold lettering, bound by Mucros bookbinding in Killarney, Co. Kerry, presented to Mary Robinson by children (ages 3 to 14) of Christy Brown Therapy and Resource Centre, Tralee, on her visit 05/07/1994. Consists of children's drawings including of Kerry landmarks (Blennerville Windmill, Tralee, Farranfore Airport [Kerry airport], Kerry bog village and Ross Castle, Killarney) and 6 colour photographs of the centre and of some children getting therapy.

Ref: P143/4/6/5/7

Several items sent or presented by children to Mary Robinson (MR) over the period of her Presidency (no exact date) including poems written in English and Irish from pupils at Bun Scoil Chaomháin, Inis Oírr (11-12 years old); large handmade congratulations card sent by pupils at The Holy Family School, Cootehill, Co. Cavan (either 1990 or 1997); handwritten letter in pencil from Florencia Caness[o?], wishing MR a Merry Christmas and best of luck in the new job (either 1990 or 1997); laminated large card from St Joseph's [Special School], Galway, with list/signatures of pupils inside and drawing of school on cover; handwritten essay and photocopy "I am Lady President in Ireland for a month", possibly written by Susan Colan-O'Leary; photocopy of essay "If I was a character in Irish History", by Niall [Montgomery?], 12 years old, as per post-it note attached.

Ref: P143/4/6/5/11