Nicola O’Connor, Veterinary Surgeon

Nicola graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine in  UCD. Veterinary Science has experienced a dramatic turnaround in gender balance in recent years, more than any other profession in Ireland, with the percentage of female graduates rising from 34% in 1975 to 75% today. This is despite the fact that, as Nicola O’Connor says “Veterinary Medicine generally means long, unsociable hours, including weekend and night work, which makes family time extremely precious.” Like all female vets today, Nicola - who works for Turf Ireland, the regulatory body for horseracing – owes much to pioneer Aleen Cust, the first woman to be recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK and Ireland. In 1896 Cust enrolled in veterinary school in Edinburgh under the gender neutral name, A.I. Custance. She completed her studies top of her class but was denied permission to sit the final exam and graduate. Nevertheless she began working as a vet in Co. Roscommon and was taken on by Galway County Council - carrying out her duties under an amended title since she didn’t have RCVS accreditation. In World War I she volunteered at the Front, looking after horses.

Photo: Beta Bajgart