Reverend Roy Magee
The Rev Roy Magee, who helped broker the loyalist ceasefire, said he did not know Mary McAleese and did not have a personal view but said people in the loyalist/unionist community would view her candidacy for President of Ireland with suspicion.
"I get the impression they would not be 100 per cent happy with her. She would, in all probability, be very much Catholic Church-orientated and that would give them a bit of suspicion. Some people might see her as a threat."
He explained that many unionists would not be at all interested in the Presidency of Ireland but when there is a candidate from Northern Ireland running "some unionists might feel threatened".
Concerning Prof McAleese's remarks that she would embrace all traditions in the North, Mr Magee said: "Many of us in Northern Ireland have got set views. While we hear what people say, we do not listen to it. Many would view comments coming up to an election with suspicion."
Chris McGimpsey, Ulster Unionist Party councillor
"I agree with Mary Holland. I have not met any unionists who find her acceptable. She is looked upon as an unreconstructed nationalist, a very traditional, conservative nationalist.
"She is not viewed as empathising in any way with unionists. She claimed on radio that unionists had rung to congratulate her. I find that hard to believe."
He said her lending of her voice to the campaign to ban the British national anthem being played at Queen's University would be one reason why she would not be acceptable. "Her public utterances have been extremely unconstructive. She has never been kind or nice about the unionist government or people.
"Her perspective of her degree of acceptance in the unionist community in Northern Ireland is wrong. She is viewed as being wedded to one tradition. As a person she is quite a nice person and obviously has a good intellect but politically she is anathema to unionists."
The Reverend Jack Weir, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church
"I know she is known for knowing her own mind and speaking up for her decisions. Whether that is unacceptable to some and not to others is the thing. Some unionists would see her as a threat but then some unionists see everything as a threat.
"I would not see her as a threat but some do. I know some unionists would respect her for her forthrightness. Some would not."
Jeffrey Donaldson, member of the Ulster Unionist Party negotiating team, MP for Lagan Valley and deputy grand master of the Orange Order.
"I DO not think Mary McAleese is someone who can reach out to the unionist community," said Mr Donaldson, who said she was viewed as someone who had not respected the views of the unionist community in the past.
"If Mary McAleese is elected as President of Ireland it will set back relations between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic."
Referring to the letters of support Mrs McAleese said she has received from the unionist community, he said if she viewed that as support from unionists she was living in a "big world of delusion".
"I think she would have to moderate her views significantly toward Northern Ireland and rise above her own very narrow view of politics in the island of Ireland."