A West Belfast girl is packing her bags for the trip of a lifetime after securing a one-year post in Washington DC. As we reported earlier this year, Bronagh Finnegan participated in the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) this summer. But so impressive was her performance that she has now been offered a full-time permanent post for one year. The Brooke Crescent girl leaves next week to take up a post at the American capital’s Northern Ireland Bureau.  Twenty-one year old Bronagh has also made history in being the first person in history who participated in the WIP programme to be offered a full-time post in the political hub.

“While I was there this summer I was offered the role of Admin and Public Relations Coordinator for a full year,” a beaming Bronagh told the Andersontown News.

“I leave next week and am really excited, but also slightly nervous. But it was such a brilliant opportunity so there is no way I could turn it down.”

The former St Louise’s pupil will live in Virginia and travel into the capital every day for work.

“I’ve already met senior politicians like Jim Webb and Peter King during my time there this summer so I am very excited about what the next year will bring for me.  Everyone was so nice and I’m really looking forward to taking up where I left off.”