Music student Matthew Magee scoops prestigious Gerard Finnegan award at NWRC

A former Royal & Prior student from Raphoe who is pursuing his dream of becoming a professional musician at the North West Regional College has been awarded The Gerard Finnegan Memorial award at the college’s Best in Further Education celebrations.

Twenty-three-year-old Mathew Magee who studies the Level 3 Diploma in Creative Music has impaired vision and hearing which is caused by a condition called craniopharyngioma, a benign tumour which generally occurs above the pituitary gland.  

The former Royal and Prior student has no vision in his right eye and some vision in his left, and he has blind registration status. Matthew also experiences significant bilateral hearing loss and wears a hearing aid. 

The singer, guitarist and drummer said his condition has never held him back adding that he uses both human support and assistive technology to improve his accessibility and make the most of his studies. 

ABOVE: Award winner Matthew Magee pictured with proud Mum, Marilda

He said: “Nothing should hold anyone back – there are so many technologies that can help you. I use an IPAD with intensive magnification to read my music and I have a foot pedal to turn the pages on my digital music.

“As well as my hearing and vision impairment I also have four metal plates in my jaw where I was kicked by a horse.

“I am very happy to have been selected to receive this award. I love studying music and the goal is to continue studying and then go on to become a full-time gigging musician.

“I’m lucky that I have so many people who support me – my mum Marilda , my fellow musicians and lecturers, my friends in the Ulster Scots band in Raphoe, and most importantly Richard Gilpin who was my first guitar teacher.”

Dr. Catherine O’Mullan, Director of Curriculum and Academic Standards at NWRC who presented the award said: “We are delighted to present this award for the third year in memory of our friend and former NWRC Governing Body chair Gerard Finnegan, remembering his integrity and passion for education.

“Matthew is a superb student and a very worthy recipient. He is very active and outgoing and takes part in all class activities and was the main singer at our recent Campus of Hope event at Strand Road.

“Matthew has been presented with this award recognizing endeavour and accomplishment. I wish him all the best for his future studies and career.”

The Best in FE Awards celebrate the achievements of Further Education graduates from the College’s campuses across Derry, Strabane and Limavady.

The event is always a highlight in the College calendar and involves the presentation of certificates and prizes to students from the four main curriculum departments across all College campuses.