Friday the 13th

Having never written or delivered a speech week 1 presented me with an ominous task. The speech was to be at the National Press Club (NPC). A venue that has in the past hosted speakers such as Charles de Gaulle, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. My nerves of speaking in such an esteemed venue were not assuaged as I arrived on Friday the 13th to give a speech on the 13th floor of the building, on a day that had already seen fires on the metro and power cuts across the city. So I began half expecting to be rudely interrupted by a plague of locusts.

However, with no interruptions from man nor beast the event was a real success. I have nothing but praise for the other programme members who spoke with me and having seen the preparation each person put in throughout the week it was deserved. The late nights spent in the office paid off as it helped us bond as a group and support each other on the day. It was genuinely heartening to hear Gary, Sarah and Elaine discuss entrepreneurship in the province, North – South relations and the future of Northern Ireland.

With regard to my own speech- despite a nervous opening paragraph, that may well have left claw marks in the podium as I sought ballast for my wobbly knees, I soon settled in and dare I say even enjoyed the experience. So in the end it was not the Friday the 13th that everyone feared. Although the nightmare was not over as the evening brought the fancy dress party and with it not one but two Jonathan Chesneys!
Fancy dress photos