Person: Mary Robinson

Sign in

Person: Mary Robinson

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Mary Robinson arriving at Áras an Uachtaráin on December 3, 1990 for her inauguration as president. Picture: Irish Examiner Archive/Denis Minihane</p>

S columnists

Terry Prone: So you’re thinking of running for the Áras... Are you out of your mind?

Ahead of every presidential election, deluded outliers consider running. They look you fearlessly in the eye and affirm in a quiet voice that they want to make a difference. Like Mary Robinson

<p>Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of the president. </p>

politics

ieExplains: Who can run for president and when is the next presidential election?

<p>Eamon Ryan: 'There is a real risk that these negotiations could fail, and we will not find a path forward.'</p>

news

Ireland urged to 'lead by example' at Cop29

“The world needs our light“ - Mary Robinson

news

US needs to stop giving Israel arms or it will lead to a 'forever war', says Mary Robinson

news

Mary Robinson: World's indifference to Sudan humanitarian crisis 'appalling'

culture

Mary Robinson's accomplishments and controversies chronicled in new documentary

S Fergus Finlay: Relief at Starmer’s success, but Biden’s time is up in the US

I’ve seldom felt such a surge of quiet confidence as I did in the small hours of Friday morning, watching Keir Starmer rack up a thoroughly deserved majority

Tue, 09 Jul, 2024

'Nature may turn against us' without radical change, Robinson warns Seanad

Ms Robinson also noted a need to change the narrative around climate change to a more positive one and to silence naysayers

Wed, 12 Jun, 2024

Mary Robinson joins world leaders in demanding 'long-view leadership' on climate change

The letter said world leaders are failing to act or co-operate over the threats of the climate and nature crisis, pandemics, nuclear weapons and artificial intelligence as millions of lives and livelihoods already face catastrophic impacts

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

State Papers: Trinity academics 'furious' over failure to be invited to Mary Robinson inauguration

Academics at Trinity College Dublin were furious at the perceived insult from the Charles Haughey-led government over its failure to invite the head of the university to the inauguration of Mary Robinson as President of Ireland in 1990.

Wed, 27 Dec, 2023

John Gibbons: We must persist with global approach to tackling climate change

Cop conferences may not be elegant, may not be making much progress, but the real wonder is that they are happening at all, writes John Gibbons

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

John Gibbons: Cop28 raises questions over Ireland's progress on climate action

Despite a claim that Ireland is a world leader in sustainable food production, we are among the poorer performers at reining in greenhouse gas emissions

Mon, 11 Dec, 2023

2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards - Red Carpet

S Jennifer Horgan: We must take swift action against sequin dresses and fast fashion

It’s official. 2023 is the year of the sequin. Stores are bursting with flashy, sparkly, plastic little discs and Ireland is turning itself into one giant gyrating human disco ball for Christmas. It’s lovely for us, for the week or two that’s in it.

Fri, 08 Dec, 2023

Fossil fuel-linked Cop28 chief demands countries should 'raise the bar higher'

Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber's call comes as an Irish NGO warns that pledges made at Cop28 so far 'are only a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of what’s needed'

Thu, 07 Dec, 2023

Fossil fuels from ancient ecosystems — more action and fewer mistruths needed now

What rational intelligent action looks like: Ireland has joined the ‘Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance’, led by Costa Rica and Denmark, collectively advocating for the phasing out of fossil fuels

Wed, 06 Dec, 2023

Letters to the Editor: Progress has to be made on climate financing

Global leaders gathered at Cop28 must make progress on increasing levels of climate financing, as well as delivering on existing funding commitments, and ensuring funds reach the world’s poorest countries which are severely impacted by climate ...

Mon, 04 Dec, 2023

UN climate change summit boss 'completely divorced from reality'

The president of the UN’s climate change summit has been accused of being “completely divorced from reality” after denying the science that fossil fuels need to be phased out in a robust exchange with former president Mary Robinson.

Sun, 03 Dec, 2023

Ireland 'not in secret negotiations with UAE' on oil and gas deals ahead of Cop28

BBC report revealed president of Cop28, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, has been planning secret deals to vastly expand oil and gas production at the event

Mon, 27 Nov, 2023

Robinson criticises Biden for licencing more fossil fuel permits than Trump

Former president calls for heavy taxation on the 'disgusting amount of profit' generated by fossil fuel companies

Mon, 27 Nov, 2023

Mary Robinson: 'Fallacy' that Ireland is a minor offender in global emissions picture

Ahead of UCC's first sustainability forum, where she is a keynote speaker, the former Irish president said that by global terms 'we are a rich country and our carbon footprint is quite high'

Mon, 27 Nov, 2023

Dr Mike Ryan: Ceasefire would be 'best medicine for the children of Gaza'

WHO's Dr Mike Ryan says pause in fighting was 'absolutely essential for everyone' given the major public health crisis facing Gaza

Mon, 20 Nov, 2023

14 counties facing 'potential danger to life' as Storm Debi hits

Clare and Galway among counties under threat overnight as wind and rain warnings in place for entire country amid threat of thunderstorms and hail

Mon, 13 Nov, 2023

Flags of Israel and Palestine behind the barbed wire

Jennifer Horgan: Stop glorifying war — a call for peace is not a betrayal of innocent Palestinians

If John Hume were alive today, he would most likely be trying to spread a message of peace, reconciliation, and dialogue around the Israel-Palestine conflict. Maybe we could all take a leaf out of his book before commenting on the issue

Fri, 27 Oct, 2023

Bride Rosney showed what's possible when you dare to imagine a different Ireland

It is impossible to do justice to her life’s work as an educator, trade unionist, environmentalist, heritage activist, strategic planner, and advocate for a better Ireland

Sun, 24 Sep, 2023

FILE PHOTO President Michael D Higgins has said the State that must bear primary responsibility for its failure to provide suppo

Explainer: What are the powers — and limits — of the President?

President Michael D Higgins has hit out at the Government’s Consultative Forum on International Security which will explore Ireland’s neutrality. President Higgins has said that Ireland is during a dangerous period of "drift" in foreign policy.

Sun, 18 Jun, 2023

Aerial view of the Hill of Tara, an archaeological complex, containing a number of ancient monuments used as the seat of the Hig

Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past by failing to protect our heritage

Ireland's cultural heritage must be protected. The Historic and Archaeological Heritage Bill needs to be strengthened in order to do this properly, argue Army Strecker and Sinéad Mercier

Fri, 28 Apr, 2023

Dearbhail McDonald: Women were key to peace — and will continue to be pivotal

Female contributors, from politicians to civic society leaders, cannot be overlooked any longer, says Dearbhail McDonald

Sat, 08 Apr, 2023

State papers: Robinson's gift to Irish centre was already on sale in their own shop at discount price

President expressed annoyance following trip to Liverpool

Thu, 29 Dec, 2022

State papers: Tension between government and Mary Robinson over her efforts to expand presidency role

Civil servants believed new president and advisers were challenging the limits of her office

Wed, 28 Dec, 2022

State papers: Mary Robinson and government in conflict over visit to observe famine in Somalia

President Mary Robinson’s much-praised visit to Somalia in 1992 to highlight famine in the Horn of Africa was greeted with less enthusiasm by senior officials in Dublin, according to newly-released State papers.

Wed, 28 Dec, 2022

Governments to thrash out crucial biodiversity strategy at Cop15 conference

Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan will represent Ireland at the UN biodiversity summit in Canada from December 11 to 16

Thu, 01 Dec, 2022

Fergus Finlay: Celebrating the hunger for change that altered Ireland 30 years ago

This weekend is the 30th anniversary of one of the most turbulent periods in the history of Irish politics

Tue, 29 Nov, 2022

Mary Robinson critical of world leaders' failure to attend Cop15

Montreal event is a pivotal moment for nature and biodiversity, says Campaign for Nature

Tue, 15 Nov, 2022

Thermometer Sun 40 Degres. Hot summer day. High Summer temperatures

Maeve Higgins: Amid the heat, we need to find the elusive cloud for a silver lining

Fear is not always a bad thing — let's use our eco-anxiety to propel us into action

Sat, 16 Jul, 2022

Friday TV Tips: Tony Connelly's firsthand account of what he's seen in Kyiv

Time travel with The Adam Project; Dolly Parton chats about her novel collaboration with James Patterson — and why Aimée's dad is definitely not going out this evening

Fri, 11 Mar, 2022

'We have to bring hope': Mary Robinson, Anne Karpf and Dr Tara Shine on climate action

Mary Robinson talks about what gives her hope as we tackle the climate emergency - the female activists making strides worldwide, the sense of urgency we now all feel and emphasises that men and women each bear responsibility.

Fri, 04 Mar, 2022

Irish Examiner view: Seanad is a vital platform for human rights

Seanad has endured as part of our political system for 100 years in spite of efforts to get rid of it

Thu, 17 Feb, 2022

Mary Robinson: 'We tax-exempt what’s killing us, would you believe it?'

Former president and Chair of the Elders has called on the Government to invest so that it will be more affordable for people to 'go green'

Mon, 15 Nov, 2021

FILE PHOTO The Central Bank has announced it has fined J&E Davy over €4 million for regulatory breaches arising from personal ac

Letters to the Editor: Accountants deserve as much vitriol as bankers

As a registered and licensed securities dealer in New York and London (proudly and foremost a Kerryman) I am reminded of the enigmatic quote of “absolute cowboys Ted” when it comes to the Davy Stockbrokers scandal.

Mon, 08 Mar, 2021

Letters to the Editor: Cork student housing needs to be addressed

As a residents group living around UCC, we were very heartened by your editorial ‘Finding better way of student living’ (Irish Examiner, February 15).

Wed, 24 Feb, 2021

Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum,Mary Robinson

How was Mary Robinson tricked into vouching for the safety of a Dubai princess?

During a dramatic 2018 escape attempt, Sheikha Latifa was captured at gunpoint and returned to Dubai. She has not been seen in public since, writes Ellie O’Byrne

Sat, 20 Feb, 2021

Irish Examiner view: The world takes a step back from the brink of doomsday

The Doomsday Clock has been paused at 100 seconds to midnight — but there are reasons for optimism too, due to Joe Biden's actions in his first week as US president

Thu, 28 Jan, 2021

The Den is back: Why we could all do with a hug from Zig and Zag

Pat Fitzpatrick meets Zig, Zag and Dustin The Turkey ahead of the return of The Den this weekend

Thu, 05 Nov, 2020

Fergus Finlay: I'm betting my trump card on President Joe

It’s crucial for America that Trump is replaced by someone who wants to bind up the country’s wounds, writes Fergus Finlay

Tue, 03 Nov, 2020

Letter to the Editor: Where is the welcome for Irish abroad?

Mary Robinson, when she was president, famously displayed a candle in the window of Áras an Uachtaráin to signal to Irish people abroad that they would always be welcome home. How we wish this candle was burning today.

Wed, 01 Jul, 2020

The Shape I'm In: Senator, David Norris

David Norris is not about to leave his funeral to chance or indeed to anyone else to orgainse. He has planned every detail, right down to the eulogy, which he will deliver himself — it’s already recorded.

Thu, 07 May, 2020

‘Keeping climate in voter’s minds’: Hundreds take to the streets in pre-election strike

Hundreds of school children took to the streets today to highlight what they describe as a lack of inaction on climate change.

Fri, 07 Feb, 2020

Radio show to pay tribute to Marian Finucane

The Marian Finucane Show will today be a celebration of the late presenter’s career, RTÉ has announced.

Sat, 04 Jan, 2020

Alison O'Connor: Chilled Robinson offers an urgent message on climate change crisis

Mary Robinson spoke of the movement to divest from fossil fuels and how the wealthy fossil fuel industry had learnt ‘a lot of bad tricks’, writes Alison O'Connor.

Fri, 27 Dec, 2019

Just how do Muslims, vegetarians and gardaí manage Christmas?

A typical Christmas isn’t available to some, and isn’t suitable for others. Joyce Fegan chats to people who won’t be celebrating the usual way — but are united in making the best of this most wonderful time of the year.

Sat, 21 Dec, 2019