Several members of the Club had a most enjoyable visit to the award winning garden of Old Barrack House, Hillsborough on a special Club Open morning Friday 30 June. On a lovely, if chilly, morning they had a talk on the history of the house and its restoration before exploring the gardens.
President Ivan concluded his year at his President's Dinner held 26 June at the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Always the highlight of the Club's year and this year's extremely convivial evening proved to continue that tradition being greatly enjoyed by the 63 members and guests. After drinks in the bar areas President Ivan welcomed all especially District Governor Elect Garth & Anne Arnold, President Belfast West Rotary Club Des & Jayne McFall President Elect Rosemary's daughter Karen Mbayo and District Assistant Governor Roland Bailie.
President Ivan was honoured and delighted to welcome (pictured from left) Eve Conway, RIBI President, Councillor Nuala McAllister, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Kalyan Banerjee, Chairman The Rotary Foundation Trustees, Garth Arnold, District Governor Elect, Gerry Kierans, Rotary Ireland District Governor, as well as the other District Officers, Presidents, Rotarians and guests to the District Rotary Foundation Centenary Lunch at the Europa Hotel Wednesday 21 June. It was attended by over 90 Rotarians and guests from all across Northern Ireland with an excellent Club turnout of over 40.
A great time was had by the 8 members who travelled to Dublin Friday 16 June to celebrate Bloomsday with the Rotary Club of Dublin enjoying good company, good food and wine, great sunny hot weather and spectacular costumes worn by Dublin Club members. The Bloomsday Celebration commemorates James Joyce and has been held internationally since 1954. Sandycove is the site of Joyce’s Tower (an old Martello Tower, one of the Napoleonic defences) and the Bloom in Bloomsday refers to the surname of a lady whom Joyce had invited to meet him during his 6 night stay.. She did not turn up so the period was called Bloomsday. (Picture left shows Dublin President Pamela O’Loughlin (2nd left) with the Mayor of Sandycove and other Dublin ladies at Joyce’s Tower)
27 members, partners and guests, spread over 3 tables, thoroughly enjoyed the latest fine dining 'Grub Club' evening which was held in James Street South Restaurant, Belfast, Tuesday 23 May. An excellent menu foretold a delicious 2 course meal, with glass of wine, which was enjoyed by all. Plenty of fellowship and chat completed this most successful evening - our thanks to PP Alan Rundle and Doris Houston for organising it.
Membership of the Club is an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience and we are actively looking for new people to invite to join and breathe new vibrancy and ideas into the Club and take Rotary into its second century in Belfast.
If you think Rotary may be for you, or for further information, please contact us.
Getting involved with Rotary could be the most important thing you ever do.
