The University of Bristol is awarding the president of Ireland an honorary degree on Wednesday.

Mary McAleese, inaugurated as the Irish head of state in 1997, will be presented with a Doctor of Laws by the university's chancellor, Sir Jeremy Moore.

The eighth president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, 51, is a trained barrister and former professor of law.

She is also the first president to come from Northern Ireland.

Bristol University is awarding a Doctor of Laws

Aidan O'Hara from the Irish embassy in London, said the president would also be visiting the university's Centre for Deaf Studies.

"She has a keen personal interest in this, as her brother is deaf.

"President McAleese is very keen to have contact with all parts of the UK, and promote education wherever she is."

The University of Bristol confers about 18 honorary degrees per year. Past recipients include William Golding and Iris Murdoch.