Maeve Weber a rising star of University Challenge

A woman originally from Dundalk has garnered a cult following after she made appearance on long running BBC quiz show University Challenge.

Maeve Weber, formerly Maeve O’Rourke of the Crescent, Dundalk and a daughter of Bridie O’Rourke formerly chair of Dundalk UDC, has become a fan favourite after her recent appearance on the show which pits students from the UK’s leading universities against each other.

BBC Two viewers saw Maeve, now living in Hertfordshire, and the rest of her University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) team beat Queens University Belfast last Monday.

Among others, quizmaster Jeremy Paxman proffered questions on spying organisations, viruses and classical music associated with the sea.

The SOAS team beat Queen’s Belfast by 165 points to 145, in a closely fought contest.

Mrs Weber first appeared on the show back in August, but her team has now progressed to the semi-final of the show.

Mrs Weber, who lives in Hertfordshire with her husband of 35 years, Andrew, 66, has two children - Eleanor and Robin - both of whom have grown up and left home.

However Mrs Weber is originally from Dundalk, and is the daughter of Bridie O’Rourke, who was the first female chair of Dundalk Urban District Council.

Maeve’s popularity has been put down to her striking appearance, and the fact that she is older than the average contestant on the show, who tend to be in their late teens and twenties.

The Dundalk Democrat understands that Maeve will now appear again in the second semi-final which will be aired on BBC 2 on Monday March 31 (next Monday).

The paper was unable to contact Mrs Weber before going to print.