Science writer Anna 'embodied the best traits of journalism'

CRATLOE woman Anna Nolan, who has sadly died aged 83, has been remembered as someone who “embodied the best traits of journalism”.

She was one of only a handful of Irish writers who specialised in covering science and technology, with a gift for explaining quite complex subjects in simple terms which one could understand.

Born in Athlone, Anna moved from school to school with her mother, a teacher, then attended Loreto Convent for her secondary education.

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She studied at University College Dublin, earning a degree in physics, mathematical physics and mathematics.

It was here, in her final year, where she met her husband Richard.

They moved to London in 1963 following their graduation and were married three years later.

Richard recalled when she first moved to the British capital, Anna was looking for a job as a scientist.

“But even in London in those days, getting a job as a scientist wasn’t really on. There were very few women in science,” he said.

She dabbled in supply teaching, before Richard spotted an advert for a job as the editor of a scientific publishing company run by Thomas Telford publishing, a role “made for her”, he noted.

Family ties dictated the pair’s move back to Ireland in 1980, and from her base in Cratloe, Anna reported for international media across four decades.

The Irish Times, The Sunday Tribune, The Sunday Business Post, Technology Ireland and Science Spin were among the many publications to have benefitted from her writing.

A stalwart of the Irish South West branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anna was always keen to encourage young reporters just starting out in their career.

The chairperson of the branch, former Limerick Leader reporter Norma Prendiville said: “For so many of us, Anna was a quiet-spoken, constant and reassuring presence. She embodied the best traits of journalism, being fastidiously committed to the truth and accuracy of what she wrote, and always being fair-minded. She took justifiable pride in her work and always believed that good work should be well-rewarded.”

“She was kind, compassionate and helpful to union colleagues and her quiet humour and smile will be missed.”

Husband Richard said if there was one acronym by which Anna could be remembered by, it would be “wysiwyg” - ‘what you see is what you get’.

“She was exactly the same, no matter who she dealt with. It could be the chief executive of a big company, it could be somebody from a newspaper firm, it could be a child she stopped to speak with.”

Sadly, Anna struggled with her health for a lot of her life.

But her scientific expertise meant she could always fight her corner in conversations with sceptical medics.

“She wouldn’t take no for an answer from them. She always tried to justify her arguments with facts and figures,” recalled Richard.

Both Richard and Anna had an adventurous spirit, travelling widely.

She enjoyed life at sea, enjoying cruises around the Mediterranean, Norway, and the Baltic states among other spots.

“She loved opera. She loved classical music. She was in three book clubs at one stage. As a member of the Hunt Museum Book Club, her final attendance at a meeting was through Zoom from her hospital bed,” Richard added.

Anna is deeply missed by Richard, daughter Aisling, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours, friends and colleagues.

May she rest in peace.