Dublin’s President Mary McAleese — until a few days ago — (the most recent elections voted Michael D. Higgins in as the new president of Ireland), greeted a couple hundred of us at her residence in Dublin Ireland this past week. Our gathering happened to be on her last day in office. The experience was more than just a little inspiring, as her witty, carefree way of addressing an audience wove us into her stories, including her grandfather’s attitude towards technology.
Belfast-born, she has served the maximum of two seven-year terms as the figurehead of the republic. Given her charm and authentic personality, I can only imagine that the Irish people will miss her presence on and off the stage, even though the 70 year old former arts minister and poet looks like he’ll be well received. Below is a short video of her very touching talk in her residence, which made more than a few of us shed a few tears. I absolutely loved her energy.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
