22-07-2025
Who is Deirdre Heenan? The professor tipped for FF Áras bid
The race for who will be Fianna Fáil's presidential candidate remains open but party members believe that Derry-based academic Deirdre Heenan is ticking a lot of the right boxes.
It is reported that Deirdre is An Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micháel Martin's preferred choice of candidate due to her political likeness to Mary McAleese.
has taken an in-depth look at the Ulster University professor and the background that has led her to potentially run for Áras an Uachtaráin. Deirdre Heenan with President Michael D Higgins in 2018. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
Born in Annaclone, Co Down, Deirdre was educated at Banbridge Academy and Ulster University. Now, she lives in Derry with her husband and three sons.
Deirdre is a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University and a former Provost of its Coleraine and Magee campuses. She is a member of the Institute for Research in Social Sciences and has published widely on healthcare, education policy, social care and devolution.
In 2001, Deirdre was the recipient of a Distinguished Teaching Award and this was followed by a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship by the Higher Education Academy in 2006. Professor Deirdre Heenan with former US president Bill Clinton At the University of Ulster in 2010. Pic: Paul Faith –Two years later, she secured an ESRC fellowship and spent nine months as policy adviser in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
In 2011, she was appointed by the health minister to join a five strong panel of experts to oversee a radical review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland and the following year, she was appointed to the Council of State by President Michael D Higgins. Professor Deirdre Heehan posing for a selfie with former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a visit to Lifford Bridge in 2018. Pic: Liam McBurney – Pool/Getty Images
Deirdre is described by Ulster University as a 'distinguished researcher, author and broadcaster'.
Many Fianna Fáil sources told that they first came across the 58-year-old when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
They said: 'I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes. She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday event and would fit the mould of what Micheál (Martin) would want.
'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the Good Friday Agreement. She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA, when, in her view, it is not yet complete, and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels.'
