Insights from the Rotary Ireland Conference

From 25th to 27th September 2026, I had the wonderful opportunity to represent the Rotaract Club of Dublin at the Rotary Ireland District Conference 2026, held at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork. Our participation was made possible through the generous invitation of District Governor George Roche and the Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club, who kindly offered us complimentary attendance in support of our efforts to strengthen and expand Rotaract across Ireland. For a club that was on the brink of closure not so long ago during the pandemic, this gesture meant a great deal. We are still at the beginning of our journey, but with the encouragement and support of Ireland's well-established Rotary community, we hope that our humble beginnings will eventually grow into a sustainable, nationwide Rotaract network.

My journey began on Friday 25th September, with a lovely train ride from Dublin to Cork. Upon arriving in the city, I made my way to the conference venue, where I was greeted by a wonderful gathering of Rotarians from across Ireland and beyond, including visitors from the United Kingdom and the United States. Even before the formal proceedings began, the atmosphere was remarkably welcoming. The opportunity to meet people from different clubs, learn about their experiences and discover the projects they had undertaken was already making the journey worthwhile.

The conference officially commenced with welcoming remarks from Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club President Gerard Kilcommons and District Governor George Roche, followed by the formal opening by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Damian Boylan. Representatives of Rotary International and Rotary Great Britain and Ireland also addressed the gathering, highlighting the wider international community to which we all belong. These opening remarks provided a fitting introduction to two days dedicated to fellowship, service, learning and the exchange of ideas. One of the most interesting aspects of the conference was the diversity of subjects covered by the guest speakers. Much of the programme focused on health and wellbeing, approaching these subjects from perspectives that were both scientific and accessible. Professor Helen Whelton explored the importance of oral health and its relationship with our overall physical wellbeing, while Professor John Cryan introduced the fascinating connections between the gut microbiome, nutrition and mental health. Chris Nial, meanwhile, discussed the potential of artificial intelligence to help individuals better understand their health and navigate healthcare services. As someone with a particular interest in technology and its implications for society, I found the inclusion of this subject especially interesting.

The programme also provided opportunities to reflect on Rotary's own work and its future. James Connell and Meg Ryan addressed Rotary Youth Leadership, a subject particularly close to our hearts as Rotaractors. Seamus Grant introduced the work of the Rotary Foundation, reminding us of the importance of the institutional support that makes so many humanitarian initiatives possible. We also had the opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: 100 years of Rotary in Cork. Hearing about a century of service and community involvement was particularly meaningful for someone representing a relatively young organisation still working to establish itself. It offered a compelling reminder that the institutions we admire today were themselves built through the dedication of individuals who believed in their potential. Friday concluded with an evening of fellowship, dinner and entertainment, including a performance by the Attridge School of Dance. I get to embarrass myself on the dance floor as a clueless Turkish man attempting Irish dancing, but as always, fortune favours the bold, and we are People of Action! Beyond the formal presentations, these social occasions provided an equally valuable opportunity to engage with fellow Rotarians in a more relaxed setting. One of the things I have come to appreciate most about Rotary is how naturally conversations can develop into friendships, new ideas and opportunities for collaboration. The evening was another lovely example of that spirit.

On Saturday 26th September, I was delighted to be joined by our Club Public Image Chair, Andreea Alexandra Lincu, and our fellow members Pooja Tirupati and Joseph Wight. Having more members of our club present made the experience even more rewarding. We were no longer represented by just one person, and together we could introduce ourselves, share our ambitions and engage with a much wider circle of Rotarians. The second day began with the presentation of district awards and the roll call of Rotary clubs, offering an opportunity to appreciate the breadth of Rotary's presence across Ireland. The sessions that followed continued the conference's focus on health, wellbeing and community service. Dr Chris Luke reflected on the importance of pleasure and balance in our lives, drawing upon his experiences on the healthcare frontline, while Calodagh McCumiskey introduced the twelve pillars of wellbeing and their contribution to a healthier, more balanced life. Later discussions addressed preventive healthcare, nutrition and the importance of understanding individual health needs rather than relying on a single approach for everyone.

Equally important were the presentations introducing the humanitarian and community projects supported by Rotary. We learned more about initiatives such as Just One Life, ShelterBox and the work of organisations including the Westgate Foundation and Cork Stroke Support. These sessions illustrated the remarkable diversity of causes to which Rotary members devote their time and resources. From humanitarian assistance to local healthcare and community wellbeing, the underlying message was consistent: meaningful service can take many forms, and every contribution has the potential to make a difference. Throughout the day, however, some of our most valuable experiences took place outside the conference sessions. Together, we took every opportunity to introduce the Rotaract Club of Dublin to fellow Rotarians from across the country. Our friends from the Dublin Rotary clubs were, as always, incredibly supportive. They introduced us to their friends, former collaborators and members of other clubs, helping us establish connections that would otherwise have taken considerable time and effort to develop. I must admit that we became something of a centre of attention, particularly when people discovered that ours was currently the only active Rotaract club in Ireland! Many Rotarians were genuinely curious about who we were, what we had accomplished and what we hoped to achieve. We spoke about our efforts to revive the club in Dublin, build a sustainable membership base and eventually encourage the establishment of new Rotaract clubs throughout the island. In return, we received encouragement, practical suggestions and invaluable insights from individuals with decades of experience in Rotary. It was heartening to realise just how many people were willing to support an initiative that was still in its infancy.

The formal conference proceedings concluded with remarks from Rotary representatives and invitations to future gatherings, including the 2027 Rotary Ireland District Conference. The celebrations continued that evening with a formal black-tie dinner commemorating 100 years of Rotary in Cork, followed by the Gala Ball. It was a wonderful occasion that brought together the history, traditions and fellowship of Rotary in a particularly memorable way. Looking back, what impressed me most was not simply the scale of the conference or the quality of its speakers, but the sense of belonging it fostered. Although I attended as the representative of a small club still finding its feet, I never felt that our ambitions were regarded as insignificant. Quite the opposite. People listened, asked questions, shared their experiences and offered to help. The generosity of that response reinforced my belief that Rotaract in Ireland has considerable potential, provided we approach its development with patience, dedication and a willingness to learn from those who came before us.

Another important takeaway was the value of intergenerational cooperation within the Rotary family. Rotaract has much to offer in terms of youthful energy, new perspectives, creativity and the willingness to experiment. Rotary, in turn, offers an extraordinary wealth of institutional knowledge, established relationships and practical experience. Neither needs to operate independently of the other. Indeed, I believe our greatest opportunities lie in bringing these strengths together, particularly as we seek to introduce a new generation to the ideals of service, fellowship and international understanding. Perhaps the most profound realisation I took away from Cork was that building a sustainable organisation requires much more than enthusiasm. It requires continuity, meaningful relationships, sound leadership and a shared sense of purpose. The centenary celebrations of Rotary in Cork demonstrated what generations of committed volunteers can accomplish when those foundations are in place. While we are only taking our first steps towards rebuilding Rotaract in Ireland, I hope that, many years from now, those who come after us will be able to look back on our efforts with the same sense of pride.

I returned to Dublin with new friendships, valuable connections, a broader understanding of Rotary in Ireland and, above all, renewed confidence in what we are trying to achieve. What began as an opportunity to attend a district conference became a meaningful experience that strengthened both my personal commitment to Rotary and my conviction that Rotaract can once again establish a lasting presence throughout Ireland.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to District Governor George Roche, the Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club, the conference organisers and every Rotarian who took the time to welcome, encourage and support us. I am equally grateful to our fellow Dublin Rotary clubs for their continued friendship and for making introductions that may prove invaluable as we move forward. We still have a long way to go, and there is a great deal of work ahead of us. Nevertheless, if there is one thing this conference demonstrated, it is that we are certainly not undertaking this journey alone. I look forward to seeing where these new connections will take us and, hopefully, to returning to future district conferences with an even larger Rotaract delegation, perhaps one day representing clubs from all across Ireland.