We might often regret the fact that many of our younger people have left this county and sometimes this Province to achieve study and career ambitions elsewhere.

But of course we are particularly proud when a new discovery is made by or a major award is bestowed on someone from this area. The honour extends to the county and to all who supported them in their education as well as to themselves.

This week we highlight two such people.

Helen McMorris, a young Ballinamallard woman, has played a leading role to create a world first in research where her project at Abertay University in Scotland identified the most efficient way of recovering fingerprints from the feathers and eggs of birds of prey. This is particularly vital in cases wildlife crime.

In fact her dissertation has been published in the prestigious Science and Justice Journal.

She now hopes that the research will provide wildlife crime offiers with further means of establishing links between dead birds of prey and the perpetrator.

This week it has also been announced that Fermanagh film producer, Brian J. Falconer, is among those behind a new film which has been nominated for an Academy Award Oscar.

Brian, producer of his film, Boogaloo and Graham, which has been directed by Michael Lennox and Ronan Blaney, follows the story of two young boys who discover the facts about life with the help of their pet chickens, and set in 1970’s Belfast.

It is further success for the producer, who has completed a long list of films and has gained widespread reputation for his skills. His film has been nominated in the Live Action Short Film category at the Academy Awards ceremony in February.

These are just two examples of the fine work being conducted by our young people, which greatly raises the profile of this community.