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A West Clare woman, who began her journey in education in tiny Scropul Primary School close to Mullagh, was yesterday made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by King Charles.
Claire Gallery-Strong, who is a founding member of the Women in Nuclear organisation, received the honour for her services to nuclear science.
The 54-year-old, who attended secondary school in St Michael’s Community College in Kilmihil, yesterday paid tribute to her late father, Christy Gallery, and her brother, engineer Richie Gallery, for inspiring her interest in science.
“I am overwhelmed, totally over the moon, really excited. Even though I found out a few weeks ago, and I had to keep it quiet, I still can’t believe it,” she told the Clare Champion yesterday.
“I am a farmer’s daughter from West Clare, who grew up in the 1970s. I went to a small primary school, it was a class of five. To go from there to being honoured by King Charles for services to the nuclear industries is just incredible.
“My dad was an amazing man, he was very generous and very inspiring. He encouraged me into my field. He never got to go to secondary school, but he encouraged all of us children.
