British scientist claims prestigious academic gong

LEADING British scientist and solar conversion expert Dr Mary Archer yesterday arrived in Ireland to accept a prestigious academic award.

Baroness Archer of Weston-super-Mare, and wife of colourful author and former politician Jeffery Archer, was at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) to deliver the first of three lectures before accepting the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland Annual Award for Chemistry on Friday.

The award is presented to a distinguished chemist with an international reputation who can relate and communicate the importance of chemistry and chemical research to everyday life.

Dr Archer said she was honoured to accept the award and stressed the importance of research on renewable energy sources.

She also revealed that she and her husband enjoyed their honeymoon in Cork almost 41 years ago.

“I can’t remember where we stayed but I do remember that Cork wasn’t as sophisticated as it is now,” she said.

She will deliver her lecture, Chemicals for the Good Life, in Athlone Institute of Technology this afternoon and at Dublin City University tomorrow before accepting the award.