10 Facts About Maeve Hillery

Maeve Hillery was an Irish anaesthetist who was the wife of the 6th President of Ireland, Patrick Hillery.

Maeve Hillery's father was a builder from Galway, and her mother was half-Irish.

Maeve Hillery entered University College Galway, and qualified as a doctor.

Maeve Hillery then attended University College Dublin, where she studied to become an anaesthetist.

Maeve Hillery worked in Jervis Street Hospital, St James' Hospital, and in Sheffield.

Maeve Hillery's husband served in a number of political roles, including foreign minister and European Commissioner.

Maeve Hillery used a number of Irish designers during her 13 years in Aras an Uachtarain, highlighting Irish design and materials.

Maeve Hillery maintained a particular interest in children's mental health, was part of a research committee at St Michael's House, and worked with Dr Victoria Coffey on her study of Down Syndrome.

Maeve Hillery served as the patron and president of a number of charities and voluntary groups including the Ana Liffey Drug Project, Care Alliance Ireland, Femscan, the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped, and the Association for Deaf Children.

Maeve Hillery was among a number of prominent Irish women who contributed recipes to a book, Welcome To Our Kitchen, which was produced by Femscan to raise money towards Ireland's first mobile breast cancer screening unit.