Celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Ireland

This weekend I attended the Rotary District 1160 Annual Conference held in Ballyconnell County Cavan.  The conference was hosted by the Rotary Club of Coleraine, and it lasted from Thursday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 26th.

It was quite a memorable weekend, and I can't even begin to describe the extravagance.  The conference was held in the Slieve Russel Hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in all of Ireland.  Not only was the hotel itself 4-star, it also had a championship golf course (which you can be sure the Rotarians enjoyed), and a huge, world-class spa.  http://www.slieverussell.ie/

During the day we attended conferences and listened to several incredible speakers, the highlight being the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.  Other speakers included famous football (soccer) player, Gary Mabbutt; past Lord Mayer of Belfast, Dr. Ian Adamson; 5 time climber of Mount Everest and founder of "Moving Mountains," Gavin Bates; Chief Executive Co-operation Ireland (and a man very influential in sustaining peace during "The Troubles" between Ireland/Northern Ireland), Peter Sheridan; and the founder and CEO of "ShelterBox," Tom Henderson; (among other various Rotary presidents and district governors).  Perhaps the most inspiring was Tom Henderson, who is working with Rotary to distribute emergency shelter and relief to victims of natural disaster.  I was also thrilled to meet him, as my Rotary Club back home in Murray, Kentucky, District 6710 is helping to fund this incredible cause.  http://www.shelterbox.org/

And if the inspiring speakers weren't enough, the entertainment was an event in itself!  As one of 6 Ambassadorial Scholars in Ireland, Rotary International in Great Brittan and Ireland (or RIBI) was generous enough to provide not only our rooms for the entire weekend, but our meals as well.  The host Rotary Club of Colerain also provided entertainment in the form of a wine tasting on Thursday night, a banquet and ball on Friday night, and a concert on Saturday night, including well-known Irish musicians and comedians (Peter Corry, Gene Fitzpatrick, Fiddler Adam, Ivan Black, Loreto McAuley, and David Munro).

The social highlight of the weekend was the banquet and ball on Friday night.  When I first heard there was going to be a "ball" at the Rotary Conference, I assumed it would be a dance, but I was definitely wrong.  It was incredibly formal.  As "ball gown" was not a top priority for packing when moving from Kentucky, I was certainly unprepared.  Luckily, one of the outgoing scholars let me borrow a dress. 

The banquet consisted of a 5-course meal (two of which were desserts).  The food was incredible!  I doubt I will ever eat that well again in my life.

Course 1: King Prawn and fresh Crabmeat Salad served with a piquant lime and paprika mayonnaise, scented with tomato and fine Cognac


Course 2: Chicken Consomme Celestine


Course 3: Pan seared Fillet Steak served with buttered Champ Potato over a Madagascar peppercorn cream, served with a selection of vegetables and potatoes


Course 4: A Medley of House Desserts with Fresh Berried and créme anglaise (we were really excited about this course)


Course 5: Tea / Coffee and Petit fours


Afterward, there was a live band and everyone danced until about 3 in the morning.  When I finally pulled myself away to go to bed, two gentlemen who must have been in their 70s remarked that we young people just didn't know how to party.  It's true; I just don't think I can keep up with the Irish Rotarians.