A riveting and necessary read, no doubt.

Mary McAleese's memoir, Here's The Story, is set to be published later this year. The former President of Ireland will be telling all about employment obstacles, sectarian violence, and an ever changing Ireland. The memoir follows an incredible arc, one that takes the reader from McAleese's childhood on the streets of north Belfast, to the peace process, all the way to her two successful terms as the President of Ireland. "Writing this memoir reintroduced me to the experiences that formed the warp and weft of my life and Ireland’s  changing times," said McAleese. "The Troubles should never have happened. But they did. Women should never have been second-class citizens in the eyes of Church or State. But they were. "That is the blighted hand we were dealt. Many worked to heal history and let a new future in. This is how I remember my part of the story." "Mary McAleese is not only one of the great public figures of our time. She has also lived a completely fascinating life," added Brendan Barrington, editorial director of Penguin Ireland. "And it seems almost unfair what a terrific writer she is: a natural storyteller with a superb eye and ear for detail, and remarkable recall. Readers are going to absolutely adore Here’s the Story, and it’s an honour to publish it." No doubt a remarkable read from a remarkable woman. Here's The Story will be available to buy in stores on September 24. You can pre-order a copy from Eason here.