Multi-talented Rachel gets gold standard from Institute of Biology
CHARLEVILLE student Rachel O’Connor was awarded a gold medal from the Irish Institute of Biology for her achievement in biology.
Rachel was also awarded the Marty Barrett Award for achieving the highest grade in agricultural science in Ireland, following her Leaving Certificate results, and received the award from the Irish Agricultural Science Teachers’ Association.
Rachel’s brilliance was evident from early on at St. Mary’s Secondary School, Charleville, as in the Junior Certificate exam she achieved nine As and two Bs, resulting in her and two colleagues being invited to compete in the Irish/European Science Olympiad, based on their science results, in Dublin in 2016.
In the Transition Year she was deeply involved in the ‘Build a Bank’ project, and she was a member of the St Mary’s team that went to Kolkata with the HOPE Foundation.
Rachel also won a competition which resulted in her participating in the UCD Veterinary College TY work experience programme, which was awarded by the Veterinary College of Ireland.
She is presently studying Biological and Chemical Sciences in UCC. In her spare time, Rachel is a keen traditional Irish music enthusiast, and is a member of the Craobh an Rath Comhaltas group Charleville, where she is a competent harpist and was a winner in Cork County Fleadh competition.
Daughter of David and Ann O’Connor, Rathglassane, Charleville, she is in much demand to perform at functions locally.
All concerned with the Comhaltas group and generally in Charleville wish Rachel continued success in her glittering academic career and traditional music endeavours.