DUBLIN — Gerry Adams' replacement as Sinn Féin leader by a woman 21 years his junior marks a decisive shift away from a generation of leaders rooted in "The Troubles."

One of the most divisive figures in European politics, Adams — who led the Irish and Northern Irish republican party with links to the IRA for 35 years — announced his intention to stand down last November. His long goodbye will be formalized at the party's annual gathering in February.

Last Saturday, 48-year-old Mary Lou McDonald became his presumptive successor when nominations for the post closed with only her name on the ballot. She will formally take over on February 10.

Unlike Adams and his No. 2 Martin McGuiness, who died a year ago, McDonald is unencumbered by involvement in the conflict in the North between republicans and loyalists that killed almost 3,300 people — many of whom died at the hands of Sinn Féin's paramilitary wing.

Although she has not distanced herself from the party's paramilitary past, as the face of a decisive generational shift she has an opportunity — alongside the party's leader north of the border, Michelle O’Neill, who took office last year — to take the Sinn Féin in new directions.

So far, the new leader-in-waiting is playing it cautiously. Addressing a special party conference Saturday, McDonald reaffirmed Sinn Féin's commitment to a united Ireland and offered a broad statement of her priorities: “Uniting this island is the best outcome for all our citizens and it is now our task to convince our [British] unionist friends and neighbors of that and to encourage them to help us build a new Ireland."

“I want to see Sinn Féin in government north and south [of the border] but it will be government based on equality, [that] respects the rights of citizens, that delivers prosperity and opportunity for all and reflects our republican ideals," she added.

Comfortable upbringing

On paper, McDonald — who declined a request to be interviewed for this story — does not fit the typical left-wing Sinn Féin profile. Born into a middle-class family in Dublin’s affluent South side and educated at a fee-paying school, her comfortable upbringing appears far removed from the party's average working-class voter and membership. In her early political career she campaigned for the center-right Fianna Fáil, but apparently fell out of love with the party when she felt it went cold on the idea of a united Ireland.

A member of parliament for Dublin Central and a one-time MEP for the city from 2004 to 2009 (the party's first female MEP south of the border), she has been been steadfastly loyal to Adams throughout her political career. In return, he has groomed her as his successor.

"She is gutsy and straightforward and upfront and they are qualities which stand to help one in any environment, but in a male political environment she sure uses them and needs them" — Former Fianna Fáil deputy leader Mary O'Rourke

“Mary Lou has been required to mouth all the usual Sinn Féin apologia for past actions for years now. Particularly defending Gerry Adams and his non-membership of the IRA," Irish Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin told POLITICO. “So the defense of past actions must continue. It is difficult therefore to ditch past damaging truths."

The party hopes her easy style in front of a microphone will appeal to floating voters — women and younger people in particular — turned off by the party's hard-man image. She is a strong advocate for women's rights and is popular in the party, but it remains to be seen whether the rank-and-file north of the border will show her the same respect they showed Adams, who lived much of his political life in hiding from British security forces.

Political opponents are skeptical that her appointment really heralds a change of direction. “These are people who [22 years later] still can’t call the murder of a Garda [policeman] a murder," said Darragh O’Brien, foreign affairs spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, referring to the IRA killing of Irish Garda Jerry McCabe in 1996.

“I think there is a reality that Sinn Féin will present Adams’ successor as a new broom, as a new generation but ... that won’t see a change in approach, it’s for optics really,” he added.

“The leopard hasn’t changed its spots," said Fergus O’Dowd of the governing Fine Gael party. "It has changed [its leader] north of the border but they still play the same tune. It’s a hard-line party for hard-liners.”

'Gutsy'

Others have been impressed with her performances in the Irish parliament (the Dáil), including former Fianna Fáil deputy leader Mary O'Rourke. "I admire her for being in a male environment, which the Dáil is. She is gutsy and straightforward and up front and they are qualities which stand to help one in any environment, but in a male political environment she sure uses them and needs them," she told the BBC.

“… Many friends have correctly said to me that I have big shoes to fill, but the truth is no one will ever fill Gerry Adams’ shoes" —Mary Lou McDonald

McDonald will need those political skills to tackle a handful of issues in the in-tray she inherits from Adams. Perhaps the biggest is to find an agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party that can restart the stalled Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont. It has been out of operation for over a year, meaning the people of Northern Ireland have been without an official political voice at a crucial time in the Brexit talks.

Closer to home, she must tackle widespread allegations of bullying and indiscipline in the party at local level which have resulted in the resignations of a number of councillors and one senator.

More generally, her aim will be to continue the party's rise on both sides of the border. In 1997, its first representative was elected to the Irish parliament. It now has 23 elected members — mostly because of its success at pinching the votes of disgruntled Labour voters.

"... Many friends have correctly said to me that I have big shoes to fill, but the truth is no one will ever fill Gerry Adams' shoes," McDonald told supporters at the weekend. She will find out soon if the party is prepared to walk a different path.