From the far side of Berlin Wall to first female university president in Ireland

Professor Mey's appointment to UL role shows progress amid calls for equality

University first: Interim president of the University of Limerick Kerstin Mey is the first female president of an Irish university. Pic Sean Curtin

Katherine Donnelly

Born and raised on the east side of the Berlin Wall, Professor Kerstin Mey will have a particularly keen understanding of what means to witness the tearing down of tradition.

In 1592, Trinity College Dublin became the first higher education institution on this island. It has taken another 428 years for an Irish university to put a woman in charge.