Top names are guest speakers at major Rotary conference in Newbridge
The national Rotary Ireland Conference will take place in Hotel Keadeen in Newbridge.
The conference, from September 29 to October 2, will see almost 400 international and national delegates gathering to discuss social and humanitarian issues that the world at large faces today.
The role that Irish people can play in tackling and supporting people in need around the globe will also be up for debate.
Rotary originally started in Chicago as a business and charitable network with Dublin, Ireland being the first club outside the USA.
Rotary Ireland, an all island district, is part of Rotary International, the world’s largest service organisation with over 1.2 million members in 200 countries.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Rotary Serving Humanity ’and the various speakers will relay this message throughout the weekend, as they share their stories and real life experiences, and how they have used their skills to motivate, inspire and make a difference.
The line-up of high profile guest speakers include Oscar nominated film maker, Jim Sheridan, founder of ‘Right to Sight’, Dr Kate Coleman, consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon, Dr. Mohammed Sattar, journalist Kevin Meyers, broadcaster Tracy Piggott, resolution mediator, Enda Young, historian and explorer, Jonathan Shackleton, and An Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.
Jim Sheridan, film director and master story teller, is a six-time Oscar nominee, and his movies have explored the issues of justice, inequality and real life struggles and often show how his characters rise to the many challenges they face in troubled times.
Dr. Kate Coleman is an eye surgeon with a special interest in cataract and oculoplastic surgery. In 2006 she found that major recent advances in cataract surgery had not been made available in Africa, where 7 million people remained blind because of a lack of eye surgeons.
As a result, the ‘Right to Sight’ organisation was founded, and has developed 28 different eye surgery programmes in eight African and two Indian states.
Dr. Mohammed Sattar, Consultant Paediatric Neurosurgeon, will share his own personal, horrific story, whereby he lost his wife and family in a shocking arson attack in Leicester. Dr. Sattar will speak of his experience of Ireland, how he has forgiven his family’s killers, and will also discuss Islam in the west. Historian and explorer, Jonathan Shackleton, cousin of the Kildare born Antarctic Explorer, Sir. Ernest Shackleton, will relay his expeditions through the same territory as Ernest, and how he has endured and survived some of the harshest climates and conditions.
District Governor Gerry Kierans said, “We are honoured and delighted to be hosts of the 91st District Conference, and look forward to welcoming Rotarians from all over Europe to the thoroughbred capital of Ireland. Rotary has a long and rich history of serving people from all around the world. We look forward to a wonderful event, and to showcasing some of the best attractions that Kildare has to offer to our Rotarian delegates and friends”.
The Rotary Ireland Conference kicks off on September 29 with a golf outing at the Royal Curragh Golf Club – Ireland’s oldest golf club and golf course.
On Friday evening delegates will be brought back in time as they enjoy a Fellowship Night at the historic Ceannt Mess, in the heart of the Curragh Camp, hosted by Brigadier General, Joe Mulligan.
The Celtic-themed evening will feature a falconry display, music by the Army No. 1 band accompanied by soprano, Lorraine Nolan, whilst Celtic warriors with their wolfhounds will welcome guests upon arrival. The speakers will present on Saturday followed by a Gala Dinner that night at the Keadeen Hotel.
The Rotary Ireland Conference is open to non-members, and bookings can be made online at www.rotaryconference.ie
Photograph: Broadcaster and TV Presenter, Tracy Piggott helps launch the Rotary Ireland Conference 2016 with District Governor Gerry Kierans, and Rotary Club of Newbridge President, Barry Fitzsimons.
Photo by Conor Healy Photography.