2nd place finish in All-Ireland for Public Speaking Team!!

11th March 2019

Killina Presentation Secondary School took part in the All Ireland Finals in Public Speaking last Saturday.   The standard on the day was the highest it has been in the five years of this competition, according to Seamus McDonald of the Knights of St Columbanus. 

Nine teams represented their schools and each one did their schools proud.

Our team of Martina Byrne, Rebecca Lindley and Rachel Horan were exceptional. The girls spoke about the abolition of the death penalty. Their speeches were well researched and inspirationally delivered. They showed knowledge, poise and class.  Their mentoring teacher Ms Weir was very extremely proud of their delivery and command on the day. Indeed their efforts did not go unnoticed by the judges either as the ladies finished in second place overall, finishing jointly with St Joseph’s of Garbally. The winners were from Castlerea C.C.in Co. Roscommon, and indeed proved themselves champions on the day.

With 78 teams in the mix from the start it was with a mixture of optimism and trepidation that we set out. However,  after coming through the heat and the Leinster finals our team became more knowledgeable and passionate about their subject. They showed initiative, teamwork and spirit. When we reached Maynooth University on Saturday they were hungry- not for the lovely spread supplied by the Knights ( for which we are grateful), but rather for sharing their Christian message. The ladies were ready. They spoke truthfully, passionately and the crowd in the Iontas Theatre were in awe. They hung on every word. 

The school is so proud of our team who have done all of this in their final year of school. They have delivered such excellence in spite of also coping with mock examinations and preparing for Leaving Cerificate Oral examinations.  Congratulations and very well done ladies.