Whether it's a presentation, a job interview, a wedding speech or simply speaking up in a meeting — practise in a warm, supportive room until the nerves work for you, not against you.
Almost everyone walks in our door because of one specific moment they want to get right. Choose yours.
“I know my subject inside out — so why do I fall apart the moment the slides go up?”
Presenting is a separate skill from knowing your material. Nobody teaches it to us, then careers quietly depend on it.
Members regularly rehearse actual work presentations at meetings before delivering them for real.
There's no lecture and no grading. You improve the same way you'd improve at anything — small, regular practice with people cheering you on.
Visit a meeting as a guest — completely free, no booking obligation, no speaking required. Have a cup of tea, see how it works, meet the members. Most people say the room is far friendlier than they expected.
When you're ready — and only then — you might answer a one-minute impromptu question, or give a short prepared talk about something you know well. Every speaker gets warm, specific, encouraging feedback.
Members follow a structured programme at their own speed, from first speeches to chairing meetings. The change shows up outside the club: calmer interviews, better presentations, hands going up in meetings.
The scariest part is walking in the door, so let's remove the mystery.
A member meets you at the door and shows you where to sit. You'll never be left standing awkwardly on your own.
A short welcome, then two or three members give prepared speeches of five to seven minutes each — on anything from career stories to travel disasters. You just watch.
Members volunteer to answer light one-minute questions off the cuff. Guests are welcome to try one, but nobody is called on without asking first. "No thanks" is a complete sentence here.
Halfway through, everything stops for the kettle. This is the easiest place to meet the members — ask them anything; most were nervous first-timers once, and they'll happily tell you about it.
Each speaker gets a short, generous evaluation: what worked, and one thing to try next time. You'll notice nobody is criticised. This is where the improvement actually happens.
A short close, and you head home — usually surprised at how quickly two hours went, and how normal it all felt.
"I joined because I froze in a job interview and swore it would never happen again. Six months on, I interviewed for a promotion and actually enjoyed it. I got it."
"I had to give the father-of-the-bride speech and I was dreading it more than the bill. I practised it here twice. On the day, people laughed in all the right places."
"I came for work presentations, but the real change is smaller than that — I speak up in meetings now. I didn't realise how much I'd been holding back."
Every meeting is run by member volunteers. Here are the people who'll welcome you on your first night.
[Aidan’s short bio — one or two sentences: why he joined and what it changed.]
[Harry’s short bio — and note he’s the one to look for at the door on your first night.]
[Justin’s short bio — focused on helping new members find their feet with the programme.]
[Barbara’s short bio — mention the taster nights and how to book if you like.]
September to June, with doors open from 7:45pm and a tea and coffee break at 9pm. Check our Eventbrite or socials for the next date.
On the edge of Wicklow town, with free parking on site. Easy to reach from Rathnew, Ashford, Newcastle and the surrounding area.
Message us on Instagram or LinkedIn, or book the next taster night on Eventbrite — we'll look out for you at the door.
Sixty seconds, five questions. It helps us welcome you properly and make your first visit as easy as possible.
Why we ask: knowing what's bringing you along — an interview, a wedding speech, general confidence — means the person who greets you can actually help with it from night one.
What happens next: we'll send you a friendly reminder before the next meeting, and a member will meet you at the door. That's it — no mailing-list bombardment, and we never share your details.
Rather just turn up? That's fine too. First and third Thursdays, 8pm, An Tairseach Ecology Centre, Wicklow — September to June.
Free, friendly, and you won't be asked to say a word. Prefer a structured way in? Book a place at our next taster night.
See taster nights on Eventbrite