The President, Mrs McAleese, has helped devise her own personal coat of arms, which was presented to her yesterday by the Chief Herald of Ireland, Mr Brendan O'Donoghue.
The symbolic insignia features two squirrels, a salmon and an oak tree with the motto, "Come to the edge".
Not surprisingly, Mrs McAleese opted to incorporate her trademark building bridges theme into the design, represented on the insignia by a curved band spanning a shield. Above it, the salmon is intended to symbolise "wisdom and leadership".
Propping up the shield on both sides are a red and a grey squirrel. Interpreting the presence of these bushy-tailed creatures requires a quick consultation of the accompanying guide to heraldic symbolism.
The squirrels are "one native species and one introduced species, reflecting the President's vision of inclusiveness".
The squirrels are sitting on a blue mound scattered with stars, designed to reflect the European flag.
The motto, "Come to the edge", is from a poem by Christopher Logue, which the President quoted in her inaugural address in November 1997.
The shield also features a woman's hand, which is clasping a sharpened cross like a dagger.
This apparently is a symbol that occurs in the Gaelic heraldry of Ulster and also represents the name McAleese (which means Son of the Servant of Jesus, as Gaeilge) and the President's Christian faith.
Above the shield there is a helmet and on top of that a crest which is actually an oak tree complete with acorns. The oak is said to be a reference to the President's association with Co Roscommon.
According to the Chief Herald, the arms were requested by the President and devised in consultation with her and his office.
Personal coats of arms can be passed down to an individual's descendants forever and can be requested by any citizen or resident of Ireland.
Last year coats, or grants, of arms were issued to 25 individuals or corporate bodies. The document granting arms comes in a formally worded letter, hand-painted on calf skin. The letter says the President's arms can be used by her "without the let, hindrance, molestation, interruption, controlment or challenge of any person or persons whatsoever . . ."
It is not known whether the President intends to mount her personal coat of arms above the door of Aras an Uachtarain.