Our projects
Service projects that change lives — in our towns, across the country, and around the world. Locally led, district-coordinated, and powered by 1,400 Rotarians across Ireland.
A pattern with infinite local variations
Across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, our 66 clubs run service projects that change lives — some led by individual clubs, some district-wide, some partnerships with national or international charities. The list below is a sample of the most visible, but every Rotary club is doing more than is shown here.
Most Rotary projects in Ireland fall into one of three patterns: signature District projects that almost every club takes part in (Christmas hampers, the Tree of Remembrance, World Polio Day fundraising), fundraising classics that clubs use to raise the money to fund their service work (golf days, duck races, raffles, sponsored walks), and partnership projects with national and international NGOs (Lendwithcare, Shelterbox, the Rotary Foundation’s global grants).
What unites them is the same: hands-on service, run by volunteers, locally rooted, and accountable to the community where the work happens.
Six of the District’s flagship projects
A representative slice of what clubs across District 1160 do. Each project links to a fuller picture of how it runs, who it benefits, and how to get involved.
Local action, in seven directions
Beyond signature projects and fundraisers, every Rotary project aligns with one or more of Rotary’s seven international areas of focus — the framework that connects local work in Ireland to the global Rotary mission.
What else clubs are doing right now
An automatically updated feed of project activity across District 1160.
Local projects
Service projects across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
YLDC
Youth Leadership Development Competition
A 25-year-old All-Ireland competition recognising secondary-school student leaders. Zone winners travel to the European Parliament in Strasbourg as MEPs for a day.
Learn moreJust 1 Life
Road safety for young drivers
A hard-hitting road-safety programme for Transition Year students, run with the Gardaí, ambulance service, fire service and local councils. Shown to save lives.
Learn moreTree of Remembrance
Christmas remembrance and local fundraising
Christmas trees in towns across the district where the public dedicate ribbons to loved ones. Cork alone has raised over €1 million for local charities.
Learn moreChristmas Hampers
Hand-delivered to families at Christmas
Each December, clubs across the district pack and personally deliver hampers of food and essentials to families who would otherwise face a struggle at Christmas.
Learn moreGolf Classics
Annual club charity classics
Many clubs run an annual charity golf classic — the single biggest fundraising event of the year for some, raising tens of thousands for local causes.
Learn moreDuck Races
Yellow ducks, local rivers, real money
Several hundred numbered ducks released into a town-centre river, raising real funds for local charities while drawing the whole community to the water's edge.
Learn moreInternational projects
How District 1160 contributes to Rotary's global causes.
Bikes for Africa
Bikes shipped to schools in The Gambia
Rotary Ireland clubs collect unwanted bikes; the Irish Prison Service refurbishes them at Loughan House Open Centre, and they ship to schools in The Gambia.
How to donate a bikeLendwithcare
Microloans to entrepreneurs worldwide
A microfinance partnership with CARE International UK — small loans (from £15) to entrepreneurs in developing countries. 100% of the loaned money reaches the entrepreneur.
Learn moreWant to be part of the work?
Every project on this page is run by Rotary members — ordinary people giving practical time. The fastest way to get involved is to find your local club and say hello. They will tell you what’s happening on the ground, and how to lend a hand.