Trinity graduate and former Tánaiste Mary Harney was today unanimously elected Chancellor of the University of Limerick (UL).
Harney, who is best known for her three-decades long political career, studied economics in Trinity. During her time in the College, she became the first female auditor of the College Historical Society (the Hist).
Her appointment today also makes her the Chairperson of UL’s governing authority.
By the time Harney retired from politics in 2011, she had shattered many of the preconceived ideas that surrounded women in politics. When she was first elected in 1977, she was the youngest ever serving member of Seanad Éireann. From here, she went on to be the first female leader of a political party, as head of the Progressive Democrats.
Harney remains the longest serving female TD in the history of the state. Over the course of her career Harney held several ministerial portfolios such as environment, enterprise and health. Most notably, she was Tánaiste for nine years.
In a press statement, Dr Des Fitzgerald, the President of UL, said that he “wholeheartedly” welcomed the decision to appoint Harney. “Mary has always been a pioneer in her field and a mould breaker in her political and public life. I look forward to her bringing that same pioneering spirit to UL’s new Governing Authority at a time of change and renewed ambition for this great institution”, he said.
In a press statement, Harney called UL “a nimble, responsive university” that is “at the forefront” of teaching and research. She continued that she was “deeply honoured and delighted” to take on the position. “I look forward to working with the President and the Governing Authority to develop further and enhance the education and research potential of this great university”, she said. Harney will remain in the role until 2022.
UL has had a difficult year, after a six-month long investigation into the college revealed that it had mishandled staff disputes and had given out unreasonably high severance payments.
