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05 Sept 2025
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05 Sept 2025
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Karen Smyth, ATU’s Marketing Officer for Campaigns and Creatives, presenting a St Brigid’s Cross to Mary Robinson, who holds a photo of the two taken 33 years previously (Pic: Mike Shaughnessy)
MAYO native Dr Mary Robinson has recreated a photo with a visitor to Áras an Uachtarán 33 years after it was taken.
Karen Smyth, ATU’s Marketing Officer for Campaigns and Creatives, met the former President when she visited her official residence on February 1, 1991.
Ms Smyth visited her as part of a group of 32 young people, one from each county in Ireland, who were invited to Áras an Uachtarán by the President.
During the visit, Ms Smyth presented President Robinson with a St Brigid’s Peace Cross and a rug made by students of Loreto Convent, intended as a gift for Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, during her scheduled visit the following week.
Over 30 years on, Ms Smyth met Dr Robinson for a second time last week and presented her again with the St Brigid’s Cross ahead of her Honorary Doctorate ceremony at Atlantic Technological University in Castlebar.
Dr Robinson, who was reared in Ballina was described as ‘a trailblazer whose legacy inspires us all’ by Maura McNally SC, Chair of ATU Governing Body.
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