Duhallow Children Inspire With Excellent Presentations At The 2024 Public Speaking Final EventUntitled Article

By NOLLAIG MURPHY Development Officer at IRD Duhallow

The James O’Keeffe Institute, Newmarket was the venue for a wonderful occasion on the 19th of October, when national school students representing schools throughout Duhallow were present to deliver speeches especially prepared for the annual IRD Duhallow public speaking event. This day was a culmination of a series of special workshops which the children had attended, in order to learn the skills of public speaking and communicative confidence. IRD Duhallow’s Youth and Education Working Group has long recognised that effective oral communication is a driver of personal and learning development, therefore these public speaking workshops remain a very important fixture in the annual calendar of events organised for young people. Under the expert tutelage of Dr. Siobhán Fitzgerald creator of the Let's Stand Progamme, a variety of very interesting speeches were eloquently delivered by local students.

Public Speaking Students representing Newmarket GNS, Newmarket BNS, Meelin NS, Ballydesmond NS, Boherbue NS and Scoil Naomh Padraig Kanturk along with project tutor Dr. Siobhán Fitzgerald, Vice Chairperson of IRD Duhallow Anne Maria Bourke and Nollaig Murphy Development Officer.

Students from fourth, fifth and sixth classes were supported by their parents, guardians, siblings, grandparents and teachers on the day. Adult evaluators representing IRD Duhallow were also present to give positive feedback and advice to the young speakers. Vice Chairperson of IRD Duhallow Anne Maria Bourke and Development Officer Rowan Lanning, spoke to the group in relation to the contents of their speeches and the significance of their public speaking achievements. This project which was supported under the SICAP programme, has been specifically designed to optimise learning outcomes for participating children. Anne Maria Bourke outlined to the audience how this long running project has at its core a vision of encouraging young people and to help instill in them an ability to confidently express their stories.

Public Speaking Students from Boherbue National School with School Principal Ms. Marie Casey and their teacher Ms. Meabh Buckley.

Students from Meelin N.S. with their awards, at the closing event of the IRD Duhallow public speaking series of workshops.

The young students spoke on matters close to their heart with speeches relating to sports, local heroes, history, folklore and special places of interest in Duhallow all being capably delivered by the children. Through their presentations the children also showed some of the skills they had mastered through participating in the programme, including intonation, speech structure, hand gestures, eye contact and facial expression. Well done to all the children who participated on their hard work and excellent presentations. Please keep an eye on upcoming editions of Discover Duhallow magazine where the students’ speeches will be printed.