Minister Simon Harris visited Galway today for the official opening of the Aleen Cust Library at Mountbellew Agricultural College.
Mountbellew Agricultural College is a campus of Atlantic Technological University specialising in areas such as rural enterprise and agri-business, environmental management and agricultural engineering.
Aleen Cust was an Anglo-Irish veterinary surgeon in the late 19th and early 20th century. She was the first female veterinary surgeon to be recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1922.
Speaking at the library opening, Minister Harris said that people like are inspirations, and that he was pleased to be present for the opening of this library.
“People like Aleen Cust made a real difference and I think it’s fitting we are paying tribute to her today with the opening of this library.”
“She was an inspiration for a generation and defied all the odds by pursuing the career she had chosen.”
“As Minister for Further and Higher Education I want to make sure that you don’t have to defy the odds to pursue the career you want and that there are no barriers towards any educational pathways.”
“People like Aleen Cust were inspirational and with her memory in mind I am committed to offering training options within the agricultural sector and provide programmes that will help create the next generation of farmers, veterinarians and horticulturists.”
In August the government created three new apprenticeship programmes in the fields of Agriculture and Horticulture.
They are the Farm Manager, Farm Technician, and Horticulture apprenticeships, bringing the total number available in the sector up to five.
Mountbellew Agriculture College Principal Edna Curley said, “We are delighted to welcome Minister Harris here today, he has always been a great supporter of further and higher education.”
“With the opening of our new library, we look forward to keeping the Aleen Cust story alive for current and future learners.”
