OBE for former Dalriada pupil Professor Isobel Pollock

Isobel Pollock is a Professor of Engineering at Leeds University, she has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her services to Engineering.

Professor Pollock is the daughter of the late Wilson Pollock of James Pollock and Sons, a well known Ballymoney business for many years.

The Pollock family successfully traded in Castle Street in the town within the grocery and retail trade, and are a highly respected family in the Ballymoney area.

Isobel returned to her former school a number of years ago as the special guest at prize day at Dalriada.

The former Ballymoney woman, who now lives in England, has made history as the second ever female President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.

The Institution has been running for 160 years.

Founded by George Stephenson in 1847, the Institution represents more than 100,000 mechanical engineers involved in diverse areas such as the automotive, rail, aerospace, medical, power and construction industries.

She received an Honorary DSc from Huddersfield University in 2004 for services to engineering and the engineering profession.

Professor Pollock is a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Engineering and Design at the University of Leeds School of Engineering. She is also Chairman of the Electromagnetics and Time Working Group for the National Measurement Office on the research programme for fundamental measurements.

Meanwhile in the Queen’s birthday honours list Paul Francis Kerrigan from Ballycastle was awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for his services to the local community.

Paul was co-founder and Chair of Ballycastle Community Development Group and has worked hard on a number of community projects including being one of the main organisers of the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. He has also been involved in the Big Lunch project and continues to be active in many other community scheme in the Ballycastle area.