The former president attended an event organised by BeLonG To Youth Services today where she spoke passionately about why she and her family will be voting 'Yes' on Friday. 

Detailing her long and involved history with the issue of gay rights here in Ireland, McAleese spoke about her personal experiences with the stories of those who have had to hide their sexuality as a result of the country not recognising them as equals, and how Friday's historic vote could finally start to bring an end to those days.

McAleese, as a constitutional & canon lawyer, has also fought for civil rights throughout her career, and sees this issue as an important step in "dismantling the architecture of homophobia".