I’m very excited to share the news that I will be interviewing Mary Robinson at the West Cork Literary Festival in July.

The former President has written a book, Climate Justice, on the fight for climate justice by grassroots women around the world. It ties in very well with her podcast with Cobh comedian Maeve Higgins, Mothers of Invention. Both are very accessible and easy to digest but tell stories of some of the most inspiring people on earth – women who are fighting against all the odds for the survival of their communities.

When I heard about Mothers of Invention first I thought it would be awfully depressing, but on the contrary, it’s energising and inspiring to learn about all the women whose fights are succeeding.

Just this week one of these battles has resulted in a court overturning Donald Trump’s order of oil drilling in the arctic.

As they say, a small group of people can make a difference.

As for Mary Robinson herself, I think her role in giving a voice and a further platform to these women is very important. As a consistent voice for human rights in Ireland she was crucial to the fight for equality for gay people and women and she has continued that work internationally first with her role in the UN and now as a climate campaigner.

Her importance as a role model for Irish women cannot be overstated. I don’t remember much about current affairs from when I was five, but I have a very distinct memory of watching her inauguration.

You cannot be what you cannot see, and for most of my childhood I wanted to be President, because the Irish president was female, as far as I was concerned.

I’m very much looking forward to the interview.