Material relating to "Tribute to Daniel O'Connell", an address President Mary Robinson made to the Reform Club, London, England, 15/05/1997, including text and drafts of address, background information on Daniel O'Connell prepared by Maurice O'Connell, The King's Hospital, Palmerstown Dublin, and his cousin Professor Emeritus Maurice R. O'Connell, both possibly descendants of Daniel, April 1997; background material on The Reform Club, 21/03/1997; newspaper cutting on Daniel O'Connell "New Ireland writes The Liberator out of History", The Irish Catholic, 08/05/1997.

[Archivist's Note: 1997 marked the 150th anniversary of the death of Daniel O'Connell.]

Ref: P143/4/11/8

Material relating to events which took place in 1994 during Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency including correspondence from Peter Murray, curator, Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, in relation to MR's visit to United States of America March 1994, and cultural inter-connections he wished to flag, 16/02/1994; brochure and booklet from Comhlámh, on Central America Week March 1994; Wheatfield Weekly, 27th May 1994 which featured "A visit to Wheatfield [Prison] by the Princess President", on 03/05/1994; special commemorative publication made with handmade paper, presented to MR by the New York Irish History Roundtable, 28/10/1994, and marking a symbolic meal and keynote address "New York and the Irish Famine", with guest list; memo on MR's engagements for 29/05/1994; copy of typed letter from Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, to Mr Paul Murphy, Administrator, Rural Resettlement Ireland, County Clare, in relation to money MR was to receive on being awarded 1994 Freedom Prize by the Max Schmidheiny Foundation, University of St Gallen, Switzerland, which she was nominating Rural Resettlement Ireland to receive instead, 26/05/1994; 4"x6" colour photograph sent to MR by Kay C Greene, Clinical Psychologist, New York, USA, of Greene, President, 47th Annual DPI/NGO conference, MR, Mrs Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Samir Sanbar, Assistant Secretary General for Public Information, at reception, United Nations Delegates Room, 21/09/1994; correspondence and background material for AIM Group [Family Law Information, Mediation and Counselling Centre], seminar on "Changing Families", including letter of thanks from Jane McColgan, Conference Committee to MR (for opening seminar), text of speech delivered by Alan Shatter, TD., and paper by Dr Gabriel Kiely, University College Dublin, "Families in a Changing Society", 20/10-07/11/1994; faxed invite from Julia Hausermann, Rights and Humanity, The International Movement for the Promotion and Realisation of Human Rights and Responsibilities, to MR to be keynote speaker at opening session of Round Table for Western and Islamic Diplomats on the Universality of Human rights, Amman, Jordan, 10-13/12/1994, sent on 1st September.

Ref: P143/4/12/5

Material relating to events which took place in 1995 during Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency including list of guests attending dinner for members of Government at Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) [official residence of the President of Ireland], 17/01/1995; notes on political situation, correspondence, speaking points, report on Round Table conference on Rwandan January 1995 and other briefing notes (06/01-06/02/1995) for meeting with Dr Karemera, Minister of Health, Rwanda on 07/02/1995; programme for MR's visit to Women's Community Projects (Mullingar) Association, 03/03/1995; spiral-bound programme "Masterpieces of Irish Art 1770-1990", for touring exhibition to United States of America, March-September 1995, from the collection of The Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork, with dates, venues, images of paintings and information on artists; photocopied correspondence, 20/07-30/11/1994, relating to possibility of MR giving keynote address at International Conference on Hunger, New York University, 19-20 May 1995; photocopy of correspondence relating to MR sending message to the Irish Travel Agents Association' Silver Jubilee Commemorative Brochure, 14/07/1995; photocopy of typed letter from John R Healy, Managing Director, Tara Consultants Ltd., thanking MR for receiving Professor Harvey Dale, Michael Gwinnell and Healy at Áras, 21/07/1995; faxed letter from Donnycarney Unemployment Action Group asking MR to open one of their new advice centres, at date that suited her, 25/07/1995; photocopy of fax from Bríd McGrath, Information Consultant on behalf of Dublin CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) in relation to their commemoration of dropping of first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, 6th August 1945, and requesting MR send message to be read out, 25/07/1995; fax regarding meeting former Ambassador John Campbell ahead of him taking up position at the UN Mission, 28/07/1995; photocopy of typed letter from Jack Gilligan, Arts Officer, Dublin Corporation regarding cultural visit of delegation of Swedish people, September 1995, and possibility of MR meeting them, ahead of her return State visit in 1997, 13/07/1995; photocopied circulars on The 4th World Conference on Women, Beijing, 7th September 1995, including on "Complementarity of Women's Rights and Children's Rights: A Joint Panel Discussion of Parliamentarians, Government Representatives and Experts", 23/06-26/07/1995; photocopy of letter from Mark Lawlor, Chief Executive Officer, The Barretstown Gang Camp Fund, Ltd., in relation to MR visiting in an official but private capacity, on 11th September, 11/07/1995; photocopy of letter from Tony Ó Dálaigh, Director, Irish Life Dublin Theatre Festival, in relation to MR possibly opening festival on 2nd October, 10/07/1995; letters of thanks from Paul Brest, Professor of Law and Dean, Kathleen M Sullivan, Professor of Law and Margery J Savoye, Director of Special Events in relation to Phleger Lecture MR gave at Stanford Law School, California, United States of America, on 18 October, 24/10-07/11/1995; copy of typed letter from Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, to Ms Kathleen Weldon, Private Secretary/Administrator, President's Office, University College Cork, in relation to MR's involvement in the International Conference on Famine, Aging and Development, November 1995, 06/11/1995; photocopy of typed letter from John Sweeney, Administrative Officer, University College Galway, in relation to a potential official visit by MR, 14th November, 18/07/1995; and several regrets sent in response to invitations.

Ref: P143/4/12/6

Material relating to events which took place in 1996 during Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency including photocopy of typed letter from Pauline Eccles, Research Officer, Irish Commission for Justice and Peace in relation to MR possibly addressing conference, June/July 1996, 25/05/1995; booklet commemorating the opening of Cavan County Museum by MR, 17/06/1996; partial list of engagements with notation, [09?]-14/07/199[6]; typed letter from Eileen O'Mara Walsh, Chairwoman, Forbairt, thanking MR for presenting the EBEAFI Awards in Dublin Castle, [15]/07/1996; handwritten letters from Peter Harbison and Jacqueline O'Brien [wife of horse trainer Vincent O'Brien], thanking MR for launching their book "Ancient Ireland", on 18 July, 19-20/07/1996; invite for Mrs P Faris [relation of Robinsons?], to official opening by MR of Country Markets Ltd., Golden Jubilee Exhibition, 15/08/1996; photocopy of typed letter from Kevin GA Smith, President, The Racing Club of Ireland, thanking MR for addressing their annual awards dinner, 16/09/1996; copy of typed letter from Bride Rosney, Special Adviser to the President, to Ms Joan Burton, TD, Minister of State, Department of Justice, 06/11/1995, in relation to some type of event happening in 1996 in Áras an Uachtaráin for Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.

This file also includes draft text of eulogy delivered at the memorial service for Erskine Barton Childers [Irish writer, BBC correspondent and United Nations senior civil servant, son of Erskine Hamilton Childers, Ireland's 4th President who died in office], in St. John's Church, Laragh, on behalf of the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, by Sven Hamrell, 14/09/1996.

Material in the final section in this file relates to the conference "The Priorities of the Irish Presidency" [of the European Union] organised by IEA [Institute of European Affairs] and TEPSA [Trans European Policy Studies Association], Dublin Castle, 24-25 May 1996 consisting of TEPSA information brochure; photocopy of address by Irish MEP [Member of European Parliament]] Pat Cox, "Governance of EMU"; typed text of contribution to session on Security Policy, by Mr Richard Townsend, Political Director, Department of Foreign Affairs; text of Tánaiste's address on (Ireland's) Presidency Priorities, background paper for session on enlargement; typed academic reflections on "The VPL Formula", Wolfgang Wessels, Jean Monnet Professor, Universität zu Köln, Germany, Chairperson of TEPSA; press release for speech by Mary O'Rourke, TD, Deputy Leader of Fianna Fail, "The Union and its citizens"; typed address by Minister of State Gay Mitchell, "Future Perspectives for the European Union"; paper by Tony Brown, IEA, "Enlargement"; Government press release of speech by Minister for Finance, Mr Ruairi Quinn, TD, paper from 1995 conference in Rome during Italian presidency of EU, "The Priorities and Strategy for the Reform of the Maastricht Treaty", Bonvicini, Louis, Vasconcelos and Wessels; material MR had filed with conference material including from Professor Fred Halliday, Dept of International Relations, the London School of Economics (LSE)consisting of paper he presented "Irish Questions and International Perspective: A Personal View", and RIA [Royal Irish Academy], along with material relating to the course on Women and International Relations at the LSE 27/04-26/05/1996; text of speech by President of the Republic of Finland, Mr Martti Ahtisaari, "Small States in the European Union; Challenges and Opportunities", at IEA, Dublin, 14/05/1996 and text of address by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, His Excellency Chief Emeka Anyaoku at the Great Hall, Magee College, University of Ulster "Space in which Hope can Grow", 16/05/1996.

Ref: P143/4/12/7

Material relating to events which took place 1990-1997 during Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency including thank you card from John Fahy who attended a lunch and was a guest at the President's table; typed note on Irish lessons and dates of classes [most likely private lessons MR was taking], no date; typed memo from Joseph Brennan, Deputy Secretary to the President, in relation to seminar where issue of "Studies" Journal would be launched had been moved to September, 22/04/199[?].

Ref: P143/4/12/9

This subseries consists of material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made during Mary Robinson (MR)'s term as President of Ireland, 1990-1997, and is arranged chronologically.

Ref: P143/4/13

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1991 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including correspondence with Colum Kenny, Lecturer in Communications, Dublin City University, who gifted a book by Gunter Grass "From the Diary of a Snail", which he remembered previous president Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh reading during a turbulent time and which Ó Dálaigh recommended to Kenny and others during their visit to the Áras in 1976, 07/12/1990-16/01/1991; letter from Mr Tom Graves, George Weidenfeld & Nicolson Ltd., London, in relation to gift of first book "Irish Watercolours", by Patricia Butler, with photocopy of response from MR, 18-23/01/1991; letter from Mr Brian Lacey, Derry City Council, Derry, Northern Ireland, in relation to gift of his publication "Siege City, The Story of Derry and Londonderry", and response from MR, 17/01-05/02/1991; letter from JP Sorohan, Chairman, RTÉ [Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's public service broadcaster] in relation to video cassettes of series "The Year of the French", which MR had shown interest in viewing, and response from MR, 31/01-25/02/1991; letter from Thomas Kabdebo, Librarian, St. Patrick's College Maynooth, Co. Kildare in relation with copy of the study "The Hungarian-Irish 'Parallel' and Arthur Griffith's use of his sources", to mark the opening of the first Hungarian embassy in Dublin, 15/02/1991; handwritten postcard from Scott Young and Margaret Burns Hogan, Dublin in relation to books gifted as memento of the Nova Scotia Art Exhibition, and photocopy of response from Ann Lane, Personal Assistant to the President, on behalf of MR, 18-26/02/1991; letter from Mrs Frances Hickey, in relation to her painting which was presented to MR by the National Association of Widows of Ireland, and photocopy of letter from Ann Lane, 26/02-06/03/1991; handwritten letter from Barbara McCarthy in relation to gift of book "Ireland and the Crown 1922-1936", from her and her husband Justice Niall McCarthy, with response from Ann Lane, 18/02-01/03/1991; handwritten letter from artist Caitriona Breslin and note from Ms Millie Cullivan, Hon Secretary, Embroidery Designer Group, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, in relation to piece of framed embroidery by Breslin gifted to MR by the group, with responses from Ann Lane, Feb - 5th March, 1991; handwritten postcard from Lady Sheila Dunsany, Dunsany Castle, Co. Meath and photocopy of response from MR, in relation to gift of "Millie's Book", 07-08/03/1991; card which came with bouquet of flowers sent to MR by Labour Women's National Council on International Women's Day, with photocopy of response from MR, 11/03/1991; handwritten letter from JP FitzPatrick in relation both to gift of painting and to the Niemba Ambush, 8 November 1960 during United Nations Operation in the Congo, at which 9 members of the Irish Defence Forces died and two survived, including FitzPatrick, and for which he was seeking recognition in the form of medals for all involved, 09-13/03/1991; correspondence with Cahir McKeown, Clones, Co. Monaghan, and two small pieces of Art which he sent in appreciation for MR's interest in the Arts, 21/03-22/04/1991.

Correspondence also includes that relating to gifts of silk scarf, smoked salmon, artwork and various other publications not listed above.

Ref: P143/4/13/2/1

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1991 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including photocopy of letter from MR to Dr Geza Jeszenszky, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Hungary in relation to gifts he presented when visiting Áras an Uachtaráin [official residence of the President of Ireland], 22/04/1991; correspondence between MR and Yanku Venkatesh, SN, Tumkur, India in relation to their gift of inscribed rice grains, 09-23/04/1991; correspondence relating to MR participating in event honouring Women of Europe, receiving statuette and bouquet, including response from Ann Lane, Personal Assistant to the President, to Ms Mary Papaconstantinos, Athens, Greece, 23/04/1991; compliment card and photocopy of response from MR to Mr Sten Anderson, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, in relation to gift he had delivered following visit to Áras an Uachtaráin, 24/04/1991; photocopy of letter to Prime Minister [John Major, United Kingdom], thanking him for gift of glasses and noting she enjoyed her first visit to London as President, 02/05/1991; card and correspondence relating to birthday gift send by young girl, Julie Tiernan, Bunratty, Co. Clare, to MR, 08/05/1991; correspondence between fashion designer Sybil Connolly and MR, relating to gift of clock Connolly had designed for Tiffany's collection, which she gifted as memento to MR's inauguration and in thanks for invite, 09/01-08/05/1991; correspondence between Irish artist, environmentalist and children's author, Don Conroy, and MR relating to launch of book, and gift of another, 21-23/05/1991; a ringbound selection of poems and cover letter from Rose McLoughlin, with response from Ann Lane on behalf of MR, 29/04-23/05/1991; handwritten note from Gearailt Mac Eoin, Irish language poet, short-story writer and translator, in relation to gift of book "Labhrai Loingseach", 19/05-05/06/1991; correspondence between Maria Julia Guerra, Lisbon Portugal, and Ann Lane on behalf of MR, in relation to MR's visit to Portugal, and which includes two photographs, 12-24/06/1991; typed letter from Ann O'Malley, President, Limerick Federation of Women's Organizations, which had accompanied a book "Living at the Time of the Siege of Limerick" gifted to MR, with thank-you note from Ann Lane, on MR's behalf, 21/06-02/07/1991; note from Aide-de-Camp to MR informing her the base of a presentation had been taken away for inscription, 04/07/1991.

Correspondence also includes that relating to gifts of flowers, prawns and various other publications not listed above.

Ref: P143/4/13/2/2

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1992 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including typed letter from Tim Severin, explorer, writer and film-maker, and response from MR, in relation to gift of his book "The Brendan Voyage", and a new expedition he was planning from East Asia, 30/12/1991-02/01/1992; typed letter from Rita McNulty, Banúlacht, Irish Women for Development, which accompanied a report "Women Worldwide: Common Interests?", with response for Ann Lane (AL), Personal Assistant to the President, on behalf of MR, 11/01-17/02/1992; handwritten letter in pencil from primary school pupil Jason Grehan, Brideswell National School, Co. Roscommon, to MR, which had accompanied a St. Brigid's cross for St. Brigid's Day [1st of February], with copy of typed response from AL, on behalf of MR, 28/01-03/02/1992; handwritten letter from Prof Derry Jeffares, Crail, Fife, Scotland, in relation to gift of signed copy of his biography of WB Yeats, which he sent to MR ahead of her launch of the Maud Gonne Yeats letters, with response from MR, 03-06/02/1992; handwritten letter from Frank Hughes, Director, Dublin Boy Singers, in relation to record and tape he sent MR and response from Ann Lane, 03-06/02/1992; typed letter from Dr Karola Dillenburger, Portrush, Northern Ireland in relation gift of her book "Violent Bereavement: Widows in Northern Ireland", and response from AL, 13-18/02/1992; handwritten letter from Mr Michael Mullen, congratulating MR on her first year and which accompanied a book "The Flight of the Earls" which he enclosed for Aubrey, MR's young son, with response from AL, 13-16/02/1992; typed letter from Julie Hucks, Personal Manager to Sir Harry Secombe, in relation to how much he had enjoyed meeting MR and to tapes of the Goon Show which he sent for MR's son William, with response from AL, 02-06/03/1992; handwritten letter from Lt Col John P Duggan, in relation to gift of his book "A History of the Irish Army", and copy of response from MR, 12-20/03/1993; handwritten letter from Ms Gretchen Fitzgerald, which accompanied a booklet "Repulsing Racism", with response from AL, 18-23/03/1992; typed response to Mrs Nowlan, Ballymore Eustace National School, Co. Kildare, in relation to a sculpture the students had made and which was on display at Áras an Uachtaráin, 23/03/1992; handwritten letter from Mrs Elizabeth O'Byrne, Galway, with crochet peace prayer and miraculous medal, and response from AL, 22-24/03/1992; handwritten letter from Dr Ben Whitaker, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, London, congratulating MR on her Allen Lane lecture and enclosing collection of books, with response from MR, 28-30/02/1992; handwritten letter from Ms Philomena Gallagher, Craigavon, Northern Ireland, in relation to published books she sent MR from Craigavon Women's Writing Group, and copy of response from AL, 29/03-03/04/1992; response to Dr Maurna Crozier, Cultural Relations Group, Community Relations Council, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in relation to box of books from the group which were left in by Dr Maurice Hayes, and to MR wanting to be added to mailing list, in order to receive future publications, 13/04/1992.

Correspondence also includes that relating to gifts of chocolates, honey, crochet, lace and various other publications not listed above.

Ref: P143/4/13/3/1

Correspondence and other material relating to gifts given and received, and presentations made in 1997 in connection with Mary Robinson (MR)'s presidency, including photograph (removed from frame at some stage) of Michael Collins, presented to MR by Michael Noel Griffin, Chairman, Michael Collins Association, London, on 25/01/1997; typed letter from Paul M Kennedy, Dilworth Professor of History, Director, International Security Studies, New Haven, CT, United States of America (USA), thanking Robinsons for gift of work on Edmund Burke and a caricature [by Nick Robinson?], 13/02/1997; letter from Mr Rory MacLean which accompanied his book "The Oatmeal Ark", with copy of typed response from MR, 18/01-17/02/1997; typed letter from Charley Clarke, Department of Economics, St. John's University, Jamaica, New York, USA, thanking MR for visit to Áras an Uachtaráin (Áras) [official residence of the President of Ireland], and which had accompanied a jar of maple syrup, 28/04/1997; typed letter from Mai O'Brien thanking MR for invite to the May day celebration in Áras, and enclosing a poem she had written for MR, 02/06/1997; handwritten note from Office of the Aide-de-Camp which had accompanied a book which was to be passed on to MR from Ms Lindsey Daly, Caragh N.S. [National School?], and which featured a photograph of MR with Daly's grandfather, 04/06/1997; label in black calligraphy and brass plate, which was originally on a presentation bottle of Columba Cream Liqueur, commemorating the 1400th anniversary of death of Saint Columba [aka Colmcille], and presented to MR at Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, 08/06/1997; "The Great Famine": black plastic folder with pages inserted in each plastic sleeve covering the cartography of the Famine, presented to MR on 14 June 1997 at garden party at Áras by Eoghan Ó Riagáin, and including thank-you letter from MR, 25/04-16/06/1997; letter from Mary O'Rourke, TD, Minister for Public Enterprise, who had served on MR's Council of State, thanking MR for her letter and gift prior to departing Office of the President of Ireland, 02/10/1997.

See also P143/4/13/9.

Ref: P143/4/13/8