By Michelle Crean

It was a day for celebrating women all over the globe and Killarney Rotary Club did that in the Great Southern yesterday (Wednesday).

Barry Murphy hands out flowers to Grace O'Neill and Maria Murphy in the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday during the Rotary's lunch for International Women's Day. Photo: Michelle Crean

SPEAKER: Abbie O'Sullivan spoke of her recent trip to Strasbourg at the Rotary's lunch for International Women's Day in the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday. Photo: Michelle Crean

Sheila Casey and Bridie Brosnan pictured at the Rotary's lunch for International Women's Day in the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday. Photo: Michelle Crean

Clodagh Irwin Owens Teresa Irwin Emir O'Shea and Maureen Somers pictured at the Rotary's lunch for International Women's Day in the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday. Photo: Michelle Crean

Frances Rowland and Anne Alcock took tie out for a photo at the Rotary's lunch for International Women's Day in the Great Southern Killarney on Wednesday. Photo: Michelle Crean

The day was about recognising women's achievements, challenges, and focusing greater attention on women's rights and gender equality.

At the Rotary's lunch they did that and more as Rotary President Rayla Tadjimatova addressed guests while Abbie O'Sullivan from St Brigid's Presentation Secondary School, winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership Competition, spoke about her recent Rotary trip to Stormont, Dáil Eireann and Strasbourg and the experiences she had and the life-long friendships she made with 23 other students from all over Ireland who won their places on this trip.

"Killarney Rotary Club extended an invitation to their own family members and friends to join them for lunch," Ciara Irwin Foley told the Killarney Advertiser.

The gathering was welcomed by Rotary President Rayla Tadjimatova and all were treated to an opening poem especially written for the occasion by Rotarian Eduard Schmidt-Zorner.

"Everybody commented afterwards on this confident young lady's presentation. She held everybody's attention and you could hear a pin drop whilst she spoke."

Daffodils, tied with ribbon in the IWD colours, were also handed out to the ladies present which were lovingly hand picked by Ciara Irwin Foley at home in her garden the evening before.

"A superb lunch was served and everybody enjoyed themselves. It was noted that the colours of International Women's Day (green, purple and white) were obvious in the food they served for both the main course and dessert. The hotel gifted Skelligs Chocolate and a little packet of seeds to grow at home and remember their visit to the hotel on this special day. It was a wonderful way to celebrate IWD in Killarney."