Tipperary students win Rotary Youth Leadership Development awards

Above: Heather Doyle (second from left) from Clonmel and Dearbhla Ryan from Thurles received their Rotary Youth Leadership Development awards from Capt Sean Fitzgerald, District Governor of Rotary Ireland and Patrick O’Riordan, Head of Public Affairs with the European Parliament in Ireland, at an event at Europe House in Dublin. Picture: Collette Creative Photography

Two Tipperary students, Heather Doyle and Dearbhla Ryan, were among a group of 24 teenagers from all over the island of Ireland to be presented with Rotary Youth Leadership Development certificates at the European Parliament offices in Dublin.

The competition, which is one of Rotary Ireland’s longest-running youth projects, rewards young people with clear leadership potential based on their extra-curricular activities. It is run in conjunction with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Dublin and Euroscola in Strasbourg.

Heather, who is a student at Loreto Clonmel and Dearbhla, who is a student at Ursuline Secondary School in Thurles, received their certificates from Rotary Ireland District Governor, Captain Sean Fitzgerald, and Patrick O’Riordan, Head of Public Affairs at the European Parliament’s office in Ireland.

After being disrupted by Covid for the previous two years, this year saw a welcome return to the regular itinerary, which involves visits to Belfast, Dublin and Strasbourg.

During the six-day, all-expenses paid trip the competition winners visited Belfast City Hall and Stormont, where they met and chatted with politicians from various parties.

Then it was onto Europe House in Dublin, where they were presented with their certificates before a trip to Dáil Eireann, where they met the Minister for Education Norma Foley and several TDs.

They then flew to Frankfurt for a two-day visit to Strasbourg. After being formally welcomed by the President of the European Parliament, Robert Metsola, the students took part in an interactive workshop that allowed them to discuss and vote on amendments to an EU proposal on climate action targets.

The students also enjoyed a walking tour of Strasbourg and met students from a host of other countries, before enjoying some retail therapy!

Heather, who is Deputy President of the Irish Second Level Students Union, is also Chairperson of Tipperary Comhairle na nÓg, SEAI Young Energy Champion of the Year and a member of the Model UN Committee.

“The highlight of my week was giving a speech in the European Parliament hemicycle in Strasbourg, which is a beautiful city," she said.

“I also made friendships for life on the trip and learned all about the Rotary Foundation. I would 110% recommend this competition to other young people, as it was a once in a life time experience and honestly the best week ever.

Even if you don’t get through, the interviews push you to learn more about EU democracy, which is crucial for all young people”.

Dearbhla, meanwhile, is a member of the charities committee in her school and is a member of her local ladies Gaelic football club, where she helps train the Under 8s and Under 6s.

“When I entered the competition I hoped to learn about leadership and the Irish and EU political systems.

"I learned quite a lot about these topics, but I also learned to believe in myself and not to be afraid to voice my opinions.

"The highlight of the week for me was the visit to Europe House in Dublin where I thoroughly enjoyed the discussions and making new friends. It was an amazing experience, and I would highly recommend this competition”.