Area 17 Toastmasters Celebrate an Afternoon of Fellowship in Killarney

On the afternoon of Sunday, July 6th, 2025, members of Speak Easy Toastmasters Mallow attended the annual Killarney Toastmasters end-of-year celebration. Hosted at the Dromhall Hotel - the event brought together clubs from across Area 17, which spans Kerry and North Cork, and forms part of Toastmasters District 71.

Killarney Toastmasters and Friends - Dromhall Hotel, Killarney

The afternoon was filled with laughter, stories, and strong camaraderie. Entertainment was provided by Paul Byrne, a long-standing Killarney Toastmasters member, who delivered a witty and well-received poem celebrating the outgoing committee. In a beautiful surprise moment, Vicky McCarthy of Tralee Toastmasters treated the group to an impromptu song—an unforgettable performance of “The Ugly Bug Ball” that truly lifted the room.

A symbolic “changing of the guard” also took place, as the chain of office was handed over to Selma Dineen, the incoming President of Killarney Toastmasters. Anne Hannan, who served as President over the past year, was warmly acknowledged for her leadership and will now continue to support the club as Vice President Public Relations.

The event marked a special milestone: three incoming Presidents from Area 17 clubs meeting in person, sharing their unique visions and enthusiasm for their respective clubs for the year ahead:

• Selma Dineen – Killarney Toastmasters

• Paul Corcoran – Speak Easy Toastmasters, Mallow

• Vicky McCarthy – Tralee Toastmasters
  
  

  

  From Left to Right: Selma Dineen, Paul Corcoran & Vicky McCarthy

  
  

Paul Corcoran will also be taking up the role of Area 17 Director for 2025/26. Anne Lawlor did a stellar job and Paul has big shoes to fill.

Paul Corcoran & Anne Lawlor - outgoing Area Director for Area 17 Toastmasters

This gathering exemplified the spirit of Toastmasters—encouraging collaboration, communication, and community. As the 2025/26 Toastmasters year begins shortly (Thursday September, 4th, 2025 in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow) we look forward to deepening these cross-club connections and working together to strengthen public speaking and leadership across the region.

Tall Tales at Speak Easy Toastmasters

The curtain was brought down last Thursday night on another season at Speak Easy Toastmasters at The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow. Our outgoing president Bobby Buckley got proceedings under way with the introduction of his fellow officers on the night. First to be introduced to the lectern was Trevor O Sullivan who fittingly marked the occasion of our last meeting with the completion of his Level 5 Pathway with a speech entitled “Am I There Yet?”.

Contest chair for the night, Helsa Giles then commenced with our Tall Tales competition. This is a fun and imaginative event where participants deliver exaggerated, humorous or outlandish stories with the focus on storytelling, creativity and the art of stretching the truth. And without doubt our four contestants on the night ticked all of those boxes.

Margaret O Regan with a speech entitled “If your dog is your best friend, then don’t bother getting a second opinion” spun a tale that brought us into a canine world of intrigue and scheming where the main character Wagga the Tail emerged as the ultimate hero.
Liam O Flynn told the audience a story where fact is indeed stranger than fiction with Liam himself emerging the hero of the hour in coming to the assistance of American tourists. Those very same tourists had a chance re-encounter with Liam a few days later as cousins of his landlord….believe it or not…

Bobby Buckleys contribution to our Tall Tales competition was a speech entitled “Bernie and The Lederhosen”. A much younger Bobby told of a brief romance with Bernie “who was not really hot and uncool as a rule” with her posh Cork accent which proved to be all too much for Bobby. He planned his escape when Bernie on a trip to Germany brought Bobby his present of Lederhosen. The fashion faux pas was the ultimate end to loves young dream.

Tables were turned when Michael Cronin told us his tale “The Lost Conclave” where the election of the pope entering day 15 with little or no progress was interrupted with what could only have been divine intervention with the name of a new candidate one Bobby Buckley from Rathfarham, formerly of The Spa, Mallow.

Micheals Tall Tale went on to tell us that Bobby would take on the job if all of his demands were met one of which was that the job of pope would also include being President of Ireland, taking up residence in The Aras. Michaels story began to unravel when Bobby refused to accept the Papacy as it would mean his moustache would have to go…a bridge too far for our President elect.

All four contestants were commended for their efforts but alas there can only be one winner and after much deliberation by the judges our contest chair Helsa Giles presented Bobby Buckley with the honours after his speech was announced as the winner.

And so ends another year at Speak Easy Toastmasters with much to look forward to when we recommence in September. As usual we would love to see new faces in our group when we return this Autumn, why not give it a go, our meetings are always open to anyone who wishes to take part or indeed to just sit and listen to what we have on offer.

Tall Tales contestants Liam Flynn, Margaret O Regan and Bobby Buckley

Trevor O Sullivan and Speak Easy President Bobby Buckley