Posted by Freddie Daniells
Some of you have been to the famous UK and Ireland Toastmaster's conferences and had a great time I am sure. Maybe others of you have considered in the past but not been able to make it due to other commitments. If you are on the fence for this time around, now is the time to commit. Yesterday, the conference organiser, Bernadette Noonan, told me that there are over 300 folks committed so far. However, the hotel is larger than usual and she would love to go back asking for more rooms. Her sense is that we could take another 75 to 100. That would be a fabulous group.
Where is it?
This time it is being held at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. The dates are from Friday 9th May to Sunday 11th May. The conference will kick off late afternoon or early evening on the Friday and finish about midday on the Sunday.
Why should you go?
There are three top reasons why you should come to the conference:
Firstly are the great workshops and speeches that you will hear. The event is hosting the 2008 UK and Ireland finals of the International Speech and Evaluation contests. This is, of course, where our winners from this Thursday will be competing next. There are also a number of workshops planned that could help both our speaking and our clubs. A full agenda is here.
Secondly is the fun you will have. No Toastmasters conference would be complete without the socialising, great food and wine that accompanies it. And this year promises to be no different. The hotel also has a wide range of facilities for those interested in leisure facilities or yet more restaurants or bars. To get a sense of how a Toastmasters conference works please click here for my experience of the last conference in Harrogate.
Finally, is the location. Killarney and its surrounding areas are supposed to be some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland (Bernadette assures me it is THE most beautiful in Ireland!). Jagged mountains, lakes (I think one is in walking distance from the hotel but don't quote me!), a national park and great widlife - deer, eagles and some very rare moths!
Killarney itself is a historic town. Evidence shows that people have settled there for many thousands of years though most of the building is a little more recent than that! Outside of Dublin it attracts more tourists than any other town in Ireland. Most importantly there are over 70 pubs and loads of restaurants to choose from (maybe the diet will have to wait!). A great guide to Killarney is here.
We have added an extra day to our trip to see some of the countryside. Maybe you could consider doing the same?
How might you get there?
Ryanair flies from Stansted to Kerry Airport. I think they fly also from Luton but you should check this yourself. There are certainly Stansted tickets still available. Kerry is about 10 miles but there are likely to be other Toasties on the flights hotel so perhaps you could share a cab to keep costs down.
I hope I have persuaded you to come to this event. If you are interested you should contact our very helpful conference organiser, Bernadette Noonan, by phone on 00 353 643 3158 or 00 353 877 546984. Alternatively you can mail here at [email protected]. Hopefully we will see you there!
PS The pic is Killarney National Park.
