Governance Member Biography - Dr. Martin McAleese
Dr. Martin McAleese
Dr. Martin McAleese holds an honours B.Sc. degree in Physics from the Queen’s University, Belfast and B.A., M.A. and B. Dent. Sc. degrees from Trinity College, Dublin. He has numerous honorary doctorates, including an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from Dublin City University. He worked for many years in a large dental practice having previously worked as a financial controller and company secretary with a number of companies. In support of the work of his wife, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland (1997-2011) Dr. McAleese has sought to develop greater trust and reconciliation among communities in Northern Ireland, with a particular focus on working class loyalist communities in his native Belfast. In the early years of the McAleese Presidency, Martin also undertook voluntary projects overseas in countries such as Honduras where he utilised his dental training for the benefit of poor communities in these countries.
2010 saw the launch of Your Country, Your Call, a national, highly successful competition which was the brain-child of Martin McAleese. Martin devoted considerable time and effort to this initiative bringing together a dynamic team of people from the public and private sectors. His efforts were recognised with a special award at the 2010 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award ceremony.
Martin was an independent member of Seanad Eireann from May 2011 - February 2013 where he focused on issues which affected the practical interests of the people of Ireland, especially in regard to economic regeneration and employment and in the promotion of peace and reconciliation on the island of Ireland.
In July 2011, he was appointed as independent Chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries.
In December 2011 Martin received The Business & Finance Award for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Ireland”. In July 2012 Martin was awarded the "International Tipperary Peace Prize 2011" jointly with his wife, the former President of Ireland, Professor Mary McAleese. In October 2012 Martin was awarded "The Ellis Island Medal of Honour” again jointly with his wife.
In early 2013 Martin was appointed to the Public Interest Board of PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ireland as an Independent Non-Executive.
In October 2013 Martin was appointed as independent Chair of the Oversight Committee to implement the agreed Framework for the resolution of the Priory Hall housing issue in Dublin.
Martin has a lifelong passion for lifelong education.
Martin was appointed Chancellor of Dublin City University on 29th July 2011, for a five year term.