Sir, - September 1998 marked the first visit to Australia of President McAleese - and what a mark she made in this far-off land.
Irish emigrants, Australians of Irish descent and other Australians were spellbound by the content and emotional delivery of her speeches. She was so warm, understanding and kind to all - even though her visit was very arduous, not only in the number of appearances she made but in the distances she had to travel - that every person she met was left with a wonderful image of a great president and a renewed feeling and vision of Ireland. All this at a time in Australian history when the declaration of an Australian Republic is high on everyone's agenda; what a great argument Dr McAleese makes for a Presidency.
I had the distinct honour of singing for her at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne and at the Sydney Opera House and also attended two other functions, one of which was her visit to the monument at Waverley Cemetery to the heroes of the 1798 rebellion, so I experienced her charisma first hand. She makes me proud to be Irish. - Yours, etc., John MacNally,
Gordon Avenue, Coogee, New South Wales, Australia.