ValerieKirwinA young South Kilkenny woman has been to the fore in the world of British politics in recent days and has been seen on television reports around the world accompanying Mr Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to whom she is Broadcast Press Officer.

Valerie Kirwan (25), daughter of John and Geraldine Kirwan, Ballyrahan, Glenmore, was promoted to the important role some months ago after spending a year attached to the Liberal Party’s Public Relations and Communications Department. She has been particularly busy since last week’s general election arranging Mr Clegg’s broadcast media schedule as he negotiates a possible coalition government with the Conservatives.

Valeria, who took Politics and French in UCD before going to the City of London University to study European Politics and Economics, is a former student of Ferrybank national and secondary schools.

Her mother, Geraldine, is a member of the Sutton family, Ballyrobin, Slieverue. Geraldine’s late father, John Sutton, worked in Clover Meats for many years and was a Kilkenny hurling legend, winning All-Irelands in 1957 and a junior in 1951. Geraldine’s mother, Ellen, Valerie’s grandmother, now resides at St Killian’s Place in Ferrybank. Valerie’s late, paternal grandparents were John and Bridget Kirwan, Gaulstown, Glenmore.

Valerie, who is single and a regular visitor home to Glenmore, Ferrybank and Waterford, has three sisters, Brid (22) a student nurse; Eleanor (18), a student at Abbey Community College, and Claire (12) a pupil at the Good Counsel School in Ferrybank.