Mary Harney's education included a less than happy spell under the disciplinary regime at Goldenbridge

ATTENDED three different schools and spent four years in each of them. My first was the tiny two teacher national school in Newcastle, Co Dublin, where I lived.

My parents, though, were anxious for me to attend a convent school. Because the nearest convent - the Presentation in Clondalkin - was full at the time, they sent me to the Mercy nuns at Goldenbridge, Inchicore, which was a 50 minute bus journey from my home. When eventually a place became available at Presentation, I moved the there.

I always loved school, mostly because growing up in the country meant that there were few children around me to play with. At school I made friends. I was the type of student whom later, when I began teaching, I learned to dislike a teacher's pet. I was studious and until I attended Presentation Convent I was quiet and rather shy.

The difference between the two convents was marked. Goldenbridge was extremely strict and very strong on discipline. Lunch breaks were longer than usual, I remember, and we "country girls", who were unable to return home for lunch were forced to eat our sandwiches in the classroom and the study - there was no question of time for recreation.

Clondalkin, where the regime was more relaxed, suited me far better. Sister Paul, the principal, had a great influence on me. The school focused less on academic study and more on developing the whole person. Students were encouraged to focus on what they were good at.

As a result, a lot of former students have done extremely well in later life.

It was at Presentation that I overcame my shyness. I became involved in debating and was a member of both the English and Irish debating teams. I developed debating and public speaking skills which gave me great confidence. I learned to think for myself - on my feet - and to make up my own mind on issues.

At school I had no idea that I would become a politician. I always wanted to be a teacher and my mother too thought it would be a good career for me. My father, however, was involved in politics, and I always enjoyed the buzz of elections.

I was interested in current affairs and I used to read a lot of newspapers. My favourite subject at school was maths and I went on to TCD to study economics. I then embarked on an H.Dip, which I failed to complete - because by then I had already entered politics.