Speaker’s Corner – Bespoke Talks & Public Speaking
Turtle delivers talks for conferences, festivals, corporate events, launches and after-dinner occasions. He is a guest lecturer for the Noble Caledonia cruise line and an accredited lecturer of The Arts Society. He also gives bespoke talks and presentations for private clients, tailoring history lectures to suit their specific family and geographic background.
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Testimonials

Circumnavigation of Ireland
Turtle has been the principal guest speaker on board Island Sky during three circumnavigations of Ireland in 2022 and 2023.
‘It was our pleasure to have Turtle embarked as Guest Speaker for our programme of Ireland cruises this year. His presentations are superb and his insight and knowledge as well as his unique style of presentation enhanced our guests’ enjoyment of their holiday. He easily fitted into our on-board routines and was taken to heart by our talented expedition team who quickly adopted him as one of their own. His unrivalled knowledge and powers of presentation make him a huge asset to our product.’
Mike Deegan – Head of Fleet Operations.
‘We all thoroughly enjoyed Turtle being on board with us! He is a fantastic addition to the team and I would be more than grateful to have him again on any cruise. His lectures are almost always full and he has a wonderful way of speaking to the guests and having them learn things without realising they are!‘
Reba Minnett – Cruise Director, Noble Caledonia

Cercle Littéraire Irlandais 2022
‘Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation. People thoroughly enjoyed it. An Irish friend of mine present at the event, who is not a history lover, told me it was the first time she ever enjoyed a conversation around history, and she’s ordering “The Irish Diaspora”. Having the French perspective was also terrific.’
Patricia Killeen
Turning Points, World Radio Paris

MGI UK & Ireland Conference 2022
‘We started our conference in Dublin with an introduction to Ireland’s history from Turtle. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in conference planning as delegates were enthused to learn about their conference host country. Turtle’s presentation was fabulous, brilliantly delivered, with just the right balance of education and entertainment. The feedback from the delegates was very positive.’
Paul Winder
MGI UK & Ireland Regional Coordinator

New York & Chicago Galas, 2022
‘Your talk last night was terrific and the room was highly entertained by it.’
Martin Bellingrath Sullivan, IGS
‘An excellent presentation!’
Andrew Byrne, Deputy Consul General,

Irish Fellowship of Chicago, 2022
‘You did an outstanding job and the program was very well received. Thanks so much for being there and providing the Irish Fellowship Club with such an enjoyable afternoon of Irish Culture!!’
John Wrenn
Irish Fellowship of Chicago

Hibernian Society of Savannah
‘Your St Patrick’s Day talk was very much enjoyed as obvious by the loud applause and prolonged standing ovation that you received. Your research into the history of Savannah kept us all enthralled from start to finish. Know that you have made many new friends and followers in this area.’
Dr Francis P. Rossiter, Jr.
Chair, Speakers Committee

Circle of Champions
Turtle led a 50-strong walking tour through the streets of Kilkenny City when the Allstate Corporation brought their prestigious Circle of Champions to Ireland in 2018 as part of the largest Incentive Program ever realised in the country.

Cruise Europe Conference
‘Succinct, brilliant and frequently funny … Turtle certainly brought history “alive” to an audience who were in a “social” mood and not prone to listening to history in a lecture format. I would have no hesitation in recommending Turtle Bunbury. This man is one to watch.’
Captain Michael McCarthy
Chairman, Cruise Europe

Of Chloroform & Ether
Turtle was awarded the 2021 Gilmartin Medal by the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland. He gave a talk to mark the occasion.
‘A tour de force. There was much excitement about your talk at Council and more generally in the hospitals over the past few days. It’s been grim in anaesthesiology and intensive care medicine in recent times, so it’s particularly nice to have colleagues coming together to hear some history (especially when it is delivered with so much enthusiasm and joy!) instead of more lectures about Covid-19!’
Dr Niamh Hayes
Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer RCSI

History Teachers Symposium
Turtle chaired a panel discussion on ‘History & Research in Partnership’ during the first annual symposium for Junior Cycle History Teachers at Collins Barracks, Dublin, in May 2019.
‘Many thanks again for doing such an amazing job … a rich and engaging closing session; the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.’
Angela Hanratty
Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) Support Service

History Weekend
Turtle joined Dr Myles Dungan and Dr David McCullagh at a special history weekend in April 2022 to mark 100 years since the Civil War.
‘Thank you for such an interesting and entertaining lecture.‘
Niall Rochford
General Manager, Ashford Castle

Harvard Allyship Series: Indigenous Peoples
Turtle is one of the keynote speakers at a Harvard alumni event on 24 February 2021 to mark the relationship between the people of Ireland and the Indigenous Peoples of North America.

Douglass Week 2021
Turtle presents ‘The World in 1845-1847 : Contextualizing Douglass’s Ireland.’

All Together Now
Turtle interviewed Caroline Lady Waterford on the ‘Curious Minds’ stage at the 2019 All Together Now festival in Curraghmore, County Waterford, Ireland.

Web Summit
‘Turtle somehow managed to captivate a group filled with some of the most creative and accomplished entrepreneurs on the planet.’
Paddy Cosgrave
Founder

European Insurance Forum
‘Turtle’s piece was particularly thoughtful for our overseas visitors, with its mix of history and whimsy, bringing events to life through characters and personalities. He is as at ease entertaining international audiences as a local, domestic one. This is history made accessible, enjoyable and interesting. Turtle is a pleasure to deal with; responsive and flexible. I would thoroughly recommend him for such events.’
Una Coleman
Conference Manager

Travel Classics
‘Fleet-footed and fact-friendly … Turtle pulled it off with charm, wit and expertise.’
George Stone
Editor-in-chief, National Geographic Traveler

Pegasus Lecturer
‘Turtle is an engaging, entertaining and erudite speaker. As a popular author and TV personality, he has added hugely to the attractiveness of various Pegasus lecture tours. Pegasus is happy to recommend him to both general and academic audiences.’
John O’Keeffe, MD,
Pegasus Consulting

Hinterland Ireland
‘A real eye-opener in a hugely entertaining and informative talk from a consummate pro.’
The Anglo Celt, June 2022
‘Turtle’s presentation went down a treat, as did his genial presence.’
Myles Dungan
Festival Curator

Launching Heritage Week
‘Turtle’s speech was just right for our launch of Heritage Week in Dublin. A fascinating spin through the history of the Guinness Storehouse, it really added to our event and engaged our guests in a fun and informative way. Everyone really enjoyed it.’
Niamh Donnellan
Heritage Council

Butler Aboo!
‘Highly entertaining … their interest in the topics covered will doubtless continue when they return to their daily lives. This in no small part stems from the captivating way Turtle delivers his presentations.’
Brenda Butler
Hon. Secretary, Butler Society

Friend of the National Gallery
‘A most entertaining and hugely informative talk … interesting and witty presentation … putting all into context, which holds one’s interest and obviously the result of extensive research.’
Maureen Beary Ryan
Friends of the National Gallery of Ireland

Crossroads of Art & Design
‘Your lecture could not have given more pleasure to our members – so much positive feedback!’
Christopher Monkhouse
Curator of European Decorative Arts
‘How nice it was to hear the audience laughing and enjoying itself. You broadened the scope of what it means to be Irish. This is particularly important to our audience and they so enjoyed hearing you make those connections.’
Fawn Ring
Director of Lectures & Performance Programs, Art Institute

Transatlantic Connections
‘We were delighted to have Turtle as one of our keynote speakers. Our delegates were treated to an enlightening and entertaining talk, and the consensus by all was that it was one of the highlights of the conference.’
Niamh Hamill
Director, Institute of Study Abroad Ireland

Mansion House Talk
‘A rich tapestry of enthralling tales, in turn scholarly, anecdotal, serious and light hearted but always entertaining: his audience loved it and left asking for more. It was a privilege as well as a pleasure to be able to listen to such a natural and accomplished story teller. He is truly a ‘National Treasure’.’
Colonel Richard Kinsella-Bevan
President, SSAFA

New York & Chicago Galas, 2012
‘Over 300 of our American members and board members fully approved of and enjoyed Mr. Bunbury’s content and delivery.’
Patrick Guinness
President, Irish Georgian Society


1916 Commemorative Event
‘An excellent presentation at the Chicago Cultural Center, catering to an audience ranging from those who knew little of Irish history to descendants of participants in the Rising – a difficult feat, managed with aplomb.’
Orla Mc Breen
Consul General of Ireland to Chicago & US Midwest

Huguenots in Ireland
‘A wonderful talk and presentation. We received a great response from the audience.’
Martina Lewis,
Office of Public Works, Emo Court, County Laois

Monte Carlo Circuit
‘Turtle gave us two first-rate talks. He is deeply passionate about his subjects and his passion is contagious. We received tremendous feedback after each talk.’
Judith Gantley
Princess Grace Irish Library

Courts Centenary Commemoration
‘A successful, most interesting and enjoyable event.’
Susan Denham
Chief Justice of Ireland

Distillery Launch
‘A great talk … informative and, most importantly, entertaining.’
Bernard Walsh
Managing Director

Speaker Series
‘A lecture of the highest calibre.’
Gerard Whelan
Royal Dublin Society

Lola Montez in Munich
‘A wonderful presentation … it was really well-done & obviously appreciated by the crowd.’
Michael Collins
Irish Ambassador to Germany
‘You are a brilliant story teller … you also created a bridge to our English, US, Australian and Bavarian friends in Munich.’
Ann Dempsey
Munich Irish Network

Incentive Talk
Turtle delivered a series of talks for Guardian Life’s top tier at both the K-Club and Cliff at Lyons in County Kildare, as well as the Parade Tower in Kilkenny Castle.

Cistercian Memories
‘Thanks a thousand for the wonderful launching oration and your presence. It was a day ever to be remembered.’
Dom Laurence Walsh
OSCO
Dom Laurence is author of ‘Slí na Manach – Our Photographic Camino: 140 Years of Photographs of the Cistercian Way with the Monks of Mount Saint Joseph Abbey’ (2018)

Half Moon Festival
‘Thank you for such wonderful mastery in this events success. I cannot get over how incredible it all turned out, and it is all thanks to you! What an excellent show.’
T. C. Crawford
Festival Organizer

West Cork History Festival
Turtle is interviewed by Simon Kingston about Cork highlights from ‘Ireland’s Forgotten Pasts.’

Irish Network -Washington DC
Turtle delivered a Zoom talk on his 2021 bestseller, The Irish Diaspora.
‘Brilliant!’
Isobel Murray
INDC
‘An excellent presentation’
Ragnar Almqvist
Embassy of Ireland, Washington DC

Bangor Rotary Club
‘Very many thanks for your wonderful talk today, regarding which I have received only praise.’
James O’Fee
Bangor Rotary Club

Butlers of the World
Turtle delivered a Zoom talk to 300 global members of the Butler family in March 2021.

Chalke Valley History Festival, Wiltshire, England
‘Thank you so much for coming to the Chalke Valley History Festival and giving such an outstanding talk. You spoke brilliantly and the feedback from the audience has been excellent.’
Jane Pleydell-Bouverie
Festival Director

Poésie & Prose Literary Festival, Paris, France
‘Wonderful.’
Nora Hickey M’Sichili
Directrice, Centre Culturel Irelandais, Paris, France

Chicago iBAM!
‘I was very impressed. I admired Turtle’s rapport with the audience, and his lively, focused presentations. He was friendly and pleasant and the audience felt this. People paid close attention and nobody left early. ’
Frank West
Irish American News

Adare Book Launch
‘Turtle was the star of the show and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him on this special project.’
Colm Hannon
General Manager, Adare Manor

Festival of Writing & Ideas, Ireland
Turtle chaired a panel discussion on ‘Remarkable Years’ with Rick Stroud, Rowan Somerville and Margaret MacMillan.
‘Absolutely perfect.’
Hugo Jellett
Festival Director

The Norman Invasion, Ireland
Turtle delivered one of the two keynote addresses on the origin, impact and legacy of the Cambro-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 at a festival to mark its 850th anniversary in May 2019.

Altamont Gardens, 2022
‘Probably the best talk we have had in Altamont to date.’
Pauline Dowling
National Historic Properties, OPW.
‘Turtle held a packed Marquee captivated as he shared the history of the creation of this garden to a rapt audience.’
Mary Heffernan,
GM and Creative Leader at OPW
‘Informative, interesting and very entertaining.’
Eileen O’ Rourke ,
C.E.O. , Carlow Tourism