Rotary International In Ireland - Centenary visit to President McAleese


Irish victorious at St Andrews


In 2011 the first Rotary centenary celebrations in the world, outside the USA and Canada, are being celebrated in District 1160 (Ireland) with the Rotary Club of Dublin and the Rotary Club of Belfast respectively. The first meeting of the Rotary club of Dublin took place on 11 February 1911 and five months later the first meeting of the Rotary Club of Belfast took place on 24 July 1911. This is an exciting time for Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland as we will also celebrate the centenaries of the Rotary clubs of London who met for the first time on 3 August 1911 and Manchester who met on 26 September 1911. To mark the commencement of these important centenary celebrations in Great Britain and Ireland the President of Ireland


honoured Rotary International in District 1160 with an audience on Monday 4 July 2011. To meet President Mary McAleese were the centenary President of the Rotary Club of Dublin Randal Gray and his wife Jennifer Gray, the Centenary President of the Rotary Club of Belfast Dr. Adrian Kerr MBE and his wife Margaret Kerr, The District Secretary of District 1160 (Ireland) Niamh Mulholland, The President of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland Ray Burman and his wife Victoria Burman and the District Governor of District 1160 (Ireland) Barney Callaghan and his wife Dr. Ursula Callaghan. An audience of this nature with the President of Ireland reflects the esteem that Rotary International is held in Ireland.


Sligo Rotary Club - a day a the Aras


were directed to the basement area. Were we to be the dishwashers for the day? However what we encountered instead was a museum area with artefacts from past presidencies including Eamon Devaleraʼs blue Rolls Royce.


The actual meeting with the President and Senator Martin McAleese was necessarily brief but


We didnʼt really know what to expect. There was a buzz of anticipation as seven of us travelled on the 9am train to Dublin. We talked about every thing ‑ but secretly we wondered what this garden party for ʻvolunteersʼ would really entail. Would we be standing around eying each other as we munched on limp cucumber sandwiches? As Breda Roche put it so well as our train neared Connolly – it was just like being on a school outing – that same feeling of anticipation of the unknown. On disembarkation from the coach we


while it lasted the President made you feel most welcome and very important‑ encouraging you to avail fully of the hospitality on offer. Cameras were returned and we proceeded through the veranda doorway into the beautiful gardens at the rear of the building. The sun shone brilliantly on manicured lawns , red rose flower beds and sparkling fountains. On the lawn a large marquee had been erected with tables and chairs outside to enjoy the sunshine.


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The members of the team winning Irish Team at the recent Rotary International Golf competition in St Andrews.. Back Row; L‑R: Jack McFarland ( Londonderry), Seamus Devine (Letterkenny), Gerry McInerney (Dublin Fingal). Liam McCartney (Lisburn), Front Row;L‑R ; Tom Givans (Dungannon), Sean Hughes (Dungannon), Brian Fitzsimons, Captain (Dublin Fingal), Ken Sharpe (Letterkenny), Aidan Goulding (Galway) Also Shown are; left; Bill Whyte, Golf Convenor ( St. Andrews) and Andrew Aiken, Golf Committee, (St. Andrews)


OBITUARY Brian Burke,


Described as a well known local hairdresser, Brian Burke was much more than that.


Not so much in golf, a sport he played for the craic and fellowship with his fellow Rotarians, but


there was a side to Brian Burke not everyone was familiar with. In the world of hairdressing competition he played to win. You see Brian was not just the friendly face of his salon in Castle Street. He was also an international exponent of his chosen art. In todayʼs world he would be hailed as a celebrity, a real star in his field. But Brian never blew his own trumpet, preferring to hide his light under a bushel. Yet there was no denying his artistry and he was frequently recognised by his peers. He was a member of a Great Britain World Cup winning team and as a consequence was invited to become a Fellow of the Fellowship of Hair Artists of Great Britain.


Brian was always interested in public service and became an enthusiastic member of Lisburn Round Table. In 1984 he ʻgraduatedʼ into the ranks of the Rotary Club of Lisburn but retained his links with the Lisburn 41 Club.


Brian was ʻmade to measureʼ for Rotary as evidenced by his outstanding contribution spanning 27 years, during which time he had a remarkable 100% weekly attendance. He took great pleasure in spreading the word and it was mainly through his efforts during Lisburnʼs 50th year celebrations that sister club Lagan Valley got off the ground.


Brian was President of Lisburn in 1998‑99, and was a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award Rotary can bestow on an individual. Brian Burke was a unique individual who will be sorely missed, not just as a fellow Rotarian but as a very good friend.


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