Celtic tigress: McAleese tops Rowling and queen in powerful women poll

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese has left Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Britain’s Queen trailing in her wake after being named the 21st most powerful woman in the world.

Elizabeth MacDonald, co-author of the Forbes list, said that Mary McAleese’s success was borne out of Ireland’s economic boom.

“She is the first native of Northern Ireland to hold the position and has been hailed the People’s President,” she said.