Soroptimist members, Miriam Megan, Marie Grenham, Deirdre Collins, Breda Crehan Roche, Ann McGlynn, Miriam Nally, Anne Melly, Ann Finnegan, Darina Dolan, Pat Braiden, Bernie Egan, Geraldine Boland and Peggy Garvey; (seated) Luna Lama St Oliver’s Community College, Drogheda; Zoe Kennedy, Holy Faith, Clontarf; Poorvika Vimal Raj, Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone; Juliet Barnard, St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge; Dr Síle O’ Flaherty, president, Athlone Soroptimist Club; Ellen Brennan, Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone; Isabel Lawlor, St Louis High School, Rathmines; Iseult McDonnell, Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda; and Melissa Keogh, Columba College, Killucan, at the SIROI Girls Public Speaking Competition regional final.

Local speakers in regional final of Soroptimists event

Published: Wed 4 Mar 2026, 1:01 PM

Students from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge and Columba College, Killucan, were among the speakers in the Leinster final of the Soroptimist Girls Public Speaking Competition, held in January in Athlone.

Julie Barnard represented St Joseph’s and Melissa Keogh represented Columba College. The two selected to progress to the national final, on March 7 in the Mansion House, Dublin, were Ella Brennan of Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone and Iseult McDonnell of Our Lady’s College, Greenhills, Drogheda; Ms Barnard was selected as reserve. Athlone Soroptimist Club hosted the event and the adjudicators were Liam Nally, Roisin O’Hanlon and Kathleen Croffy.

Anne Melly, national public speaking convenor, said: “For 45 years, this competition has given young women a platform to be heard — not just to speak well, but to speak with purpose. The range and depth of this year’s topics challenge participants to think critically about the world they are inheriting and the role they can play in shaping it. At regional level, we consistently see extraordinary courage, insight and confidence, and it is always inspiring to witness these young women finding and owning their voices.”The competition is in three stages; local, regional and national, and two winners from each of the four regional finals progress to the final.”

The Mildred O’Brien Trophy is awarded to the overall national winner, as well as a cash prize for the school and sponsorship for her school.