Presidency of Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson served as President of Ireland between 1990 and 1997. Ireland's first female president, Robinson became the most popular president in Irish history. Prior to her election, she served seven terms as a senator, and concurrent with her time in Seanad Éireann she worked as a lawyer and academic. Robinson resigned the presidency early to take up the position of High Commissioner of Human Rights with the United Nations.

Following a 20-year career in the Seanad (Senate), Robinson was elected to the presidency following one of the most controversial elections in the Irish state. She was seen as an underdog at the outset of the election and her victory is often credited to major political gaffes made by the favourite to win the race, Brian Lenihan, and his election team.