MUSIC TO BRAVE SURVIVORS EARS
Music to brave survivor's ears
CLAIRE Gallagher, the 21 year-old who lost her eyesight as a result of the Omagh bomb, graduated from Queen's University with a BA Honours Degree in Music.
The courageous young woman said she greatly enjoyed the variety offered by the music degree course, that gave her the opportunity to study the history of music, music technology and ethno-musicology among her options.
Describing how she feels to have completed her three-year degree studies Claire said, "I am just delighted that I have got to this stage as it's another important milestone for me.
"There have been difficulties put in my way in life, but I haven't let them hinder me. I've just had to find new ways of doing things."
TRIBUTE
Claire paid tribute to the support she was given by the lecturers, secretaries, other staff in the School of Music and those working in the University's Disability Services Unit. She also had a special word of thanks for Jane Matthews, the note taker who accompanied her to lectures throughout her three years at Queen's.
"Jane already has a music degree and is attending today's graduation ceremony with me, along with my parents."
On her plans for the future, Claire said that the first thing on her agenda was to spend some time travelling over the coming year, starting off with a trip to the States. "After that I would like to work in the field of Music Therapy and would aim to start getting some relevant experience by doing voluntary work".
Among Claire's other achievements to date is the moving piano performance she gave at the White House in Washington for President Bill Clinton, Senator George Mitchell and other politicians at the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations in 1999. What President Clinton said of Claire after her recital still holds true today,"She lost her sight in that terrible bombing, but she did not lose the vision, the strength of her spirit and soul."
CLAIRE Gallagher, the 21 year-old who lost her eyesight as a result of the Omagh bomb, graduated from Queen's University with a BA Honours Degree in Music.
The courageous young woman said she greatly enjoyed the variety offered by the music degree course, that gave her the opportunity to study the history of music, music technology and ethno-musicology among her options.
Describing how she feels to have completed her three-year degree studies Claire said, "I am just delighted that I have got to this stage as it's another important milestone for me.
"There have been difficulties put in my way in life, but I haven't let them hinder me. I've just had to find new ways of doing things."
TRIBUTE
Claire paid tribute to the support she was given by the lecturers, secretaries, other staff in the School of Music and those working in the University's Disability Services Unit. She also had a special word of thanks for Jane Matthews, the note taker who accompanied her to lectures throughout her three years at Queen's.
"Jane already has a music degree and is attending today's graduation ceremony with me, along with my parents."
On her plans for the future, Claire said that the first thing on her agenda was to spend some time travelling over the coming year, starting off with a trip to the States. "After that I would like to work in the field of Music Therapy and would aim to start getting some relevant experience by doing voluntary work".
Among Claire's other achievements to date is the moving piano performance she gave at the White House in Washington for President Bill Clinton, Senator George Mitchell and other politicians at the traditional St Patrick's Day celebrations in 1999. What President Clinton said of Claire after her recital still holds true today,"She lost her sight in that terrible bombing, but she did not lose the vision, the strength of her spirit and soul."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1675
Published Date: 08-Jul-04
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