Next 100 years – a life in the service of others Conference Report


Excitement was palpable in the lobby of the Strand Hotel, Limerick as delegates began arriving on Thursday 22 September. The District Conference is a key event in Rotary in Irelandʼs annual calendar and the Limerick Thomond and Limerick Shannon clubs had been working tirelessly for over a year under the solid leadership of joint Conference Chairs Pat Kearney and Thomas Hardy to develop a conference programme that would provide a respectful, meaningful and a memorable experience for all Rotarians and visitors ‒ while also providing good value for money.


The working theme of the Conference was ʻRotary ‒ the Next 100 years ‒ A Life in the Service of Others.ʼ This theme was inspired by Albert Einsteinʼs statement that, “only a life lived for others is worth living”. The Conference aimed to showcase the work done at home and abroad by Rotary Clubs in our District and also to provide focused discussion on Rotaryʼs service into the future.


Thursdayʼs activities commenced with Golf at Dromoland Castle concurrent with Rotarian, Rushton Hurleyʼs communications workshop attended by Rotarians, teachers and students. The conference proceedings were officially opened that evening in City Hall, were a Civic Reception was held by Deputy Mayor Cllr. Maria Byrne, a past President of the Limerick Shannon Rotary Club. The assembled delegates enjoyed musical entertainment from the Moyross Pipe Band and a theatrical performance focusing on the river Shannon and Limerick City from the playwright and author Mike Finn.


On Friday morning, as delegates arrived, they were greeted with the sounds of two young harpists as they registered and prepared for an intensive and broad conference programme. High profile guest speakers such as Fergus Finlay and Minister Jan OʼSullivan addressed conference delegates. Rotary Clubs and Rotarians also presented on New Generations and Youth Leadership, the Rotary Tree of


Remembrance and providing young people with awareness and education on the problems associated with alcohol and drug addiction. Presentations on The Rotary Foundation, International Service, Inner Wheel, Probus, Membership Services also provided excellent material for the assembled delegates.


On Saturday morning, after an evening of fun and fellowship on Friday night, Chief Sergeant at Arms Gerry OʼDoherty called conference to order. Conference Delegates were treated to a second day of high profile speakers such as Lord Boateng, Dr. Vincent Cunnane, Rushton Hurley and our RI Presidentʼs Representative Past RI Director


Joint Conference Chairs from the left Pat Kearney, Limerick Thomond Rotary Club and Thomas Hardy Limerick Shannon Rotary Club with District Governor Barney Callaghan


Ron Beaubien. Greetings were brought from RIBI President Ray Burman through RIBI Chief Executive Annmarie Harte. There were also special appearances from the very young string quartet ʻtutti fruttiʼ, Limerickʼs first under thirteen string quartet who were thrilled to play for their very first international audience. Our visiting GSE Team form Brisbane and our Ambassadorial Scholars also presented. The Rotary Club of Belfast gave an excellent historical presentation of their Rotary Club through the decades. In addition the Rotary Club of Dublin, who are celebrating the first year of their second century, gave a presentation on their plans and ambitions for the future. Actors Mike Finn and Myles Breen provided a comic interlude to change the focus of the proceedings somewhat.


A dynamic partnerʼs programme was offered throughout the Conference that included guided historical walking tours of Limerick City and the Hunt Museum, The Strand Hotelʼs internationally renowned Chef gave a cookery demonstration and Lyric FM also provided an entertaining workshop on presenting your own radio show and of course all who attended enjoyed the Fashion event at Brown Thomas. Limerick 95FM broadcast from the Conference Hotel and interviewed many of the speakers and delegates.


After the District Council meeting the delegates departed to prepare for the District Governorʼs Banquet and Ball. A great night of fellowship was enjoyed by all. A highpoint of the evening was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship to


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District Secretary Niamh Mulholland by Helga Morrow, the President of the Rotary Club of Dublin Viking. The Banquet and Ball also provided an opportunity to mark the ruby anniversary of Maurice and Hillary Brooks. The Conference Chairmen also received presentations for their stirling work as did the ladies who developed and managed the partnerʼs programme, which brought a unique touch of class to the Conference. Finally, Northern Ireland Business Woman of the Year Sandra McCabe was called upon to receive recognition from her fellow Rotarians for her achievement.


After a leisurely breakfast on Sunday morning, delegates attended the Conference ecumenical service and were treated to a very special performance from Limerick county youth choir. The conclusion of the Conference programme started thereafter and delegates heard Everest Mountaineers Gavin Bate (who placed the Rotary flag on the top of Everest earlier this year) and Limerick man Mark Quinn. The District Conference team for 2012 gave us a taste of what they have in store for us in Galway in October 2012. RIBI and RI Presidents Representatives Annemarie Harte and Ron Beaubien gave their closing address to Conference. This was followed by District Governor Barney who gave his closing remarks to Conference delegates. Our inimitable Conference Chairs Pat Kearney and Thomas Hardy, had the last word of the conference, which they used to thank all who had an input into a very successful event and formally closed the conference.


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