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View/Open - ARAN - National University of Ireland, Galway

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Acknowledgements<br />

Acknowledgements<br />

Firstly I have to thank my parents Billy and Evelyn. Without you, none <strong>of</strong><br />

this would have been possible. Despite not fully understanding why I<br />

wanted to “go back” to college, you have always supported me financially,<br />

emotionally and logistically when needed. Also to my brothers and sisters<br />

Trish, Pat, Maggie and Anthony, who have always shown patience over the<br />

years when their little sister is still in college after all these years! Sorry for<br />

all the inadequate presents and having to always rely on the broke student<br />

routine. Also to my extended family Yvonne, Orla, Mick and my wonderful<br />

twin nieces, Caoimhe and Caitlin…someday you may become<br />

scientists…and read this thesis.<br />

I would like to thank my second family – the girls, who have had great<br />

patience with me and have kept me included over the years despite my<br />

hermit status and dwindling social availability…Now girls, I’m back and<br />

finally finished. Aisling, Amy, Anita, Edel, Lynda, Michelle, Nuala, Sandra,<br />

Sorcha and Therese - it’s been so great to have you all as best friends for so<br />

long, I can’t believe it has been over 14 years since it all started! Also a<br />

special thank-you to Lol and Maizy for all the fun times we had in college.<br />

And not forgetting my friends from Waterlane– especially Aoife, Sandra,<br />

Catriona and Alice. I would also like to thank Martin Prenga for his support<br />

over this stressful time. Martin, I cannot begin to explain how much I want<br />

to thank-you for standing the test <strong>of</strong> time with me through this exhausting<br />

last stage <strong>of</strong> my PhD.<br />

I would also like to thank those who encouraged me to pursue a PhD. To<br />

the late Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Thomás Connor, whom although was in a different<br />

discipline was there to provide advice on the pursuit <strong>of</strong> a PhD. Also I would<br />

like to thank Dr. Hugo Sax for his encouragement to embark on a PhD and<br />

for also acting as a mentor and referee for all these years.<br />

To the team in CSI, to those before me Sandra and Fiona and to those on<br />

the road after me – Catherine. Sandra, possibly the happiest person I have<br />

xvi

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