20 March

At the Speakeasy Toastmasters Club round of the International Speech Contest which was held in the Hibernian Hotel on Thursday the 6’th of March, “That’s Life” was the title of Jerry Mulcahy’s speech. “Fools, Gligíns, Amadán’s Óinseach’s were some of the words to describe people with a disability, wheither it was speech or appearance, mild or severe” said Jerry as he told us of the lack of understanding towards people with disabilities. Jerry told us of the Polio outbreak in 1957 where perfectly healthy people found themselves now found themselves with a disability. The founding of the Polio and Aftercare Association in 1963 and how people cope with someone with a disability in the Family.

After Jerry it was the turn of Elizabeth O’Brien with a speech entitled “The Game Of Life”. Elizabeth began with an extract from the words of the theme tune of the 70’s TV series MASH and told us that in the year 2000 there were 415 deaths from suicide which was on par with the amount of people killed on the roads that year.
“Think of the budget and money that was spent into rightfully preventing road deaths. Think of the budget that is spent and put into organizations such as The Samaritans and Aware”.

Next to the lectern was Angela Sheehan and the title of Angela’s speech was “Céad Míle Fáilte?” “I am left alone on my own in this world” began Angela quoting from an article in a Sunday Newspaper shortly before Christmas recalling the tragic story of a family of Turkish Kurds who died in a container and were discovered in an industrial estate in Wexford. She asked the question “what kind of a céad míle fáilte” are people from different races getting in Ireland and cited various incidents to prove that they are not.

The final speaker of the night was Michael Cronin with a speech entitled “Doing What I Can”, in which he reminded us of the “must haves” of this life. The most up to date mobile phone and new Kike runners etc. “We are a slave to addiction and must have things that we do not want” said Michael, pointing out that runners ae made in sweat shops where workers get 40cent for every €100 pair of runners. The world produces enough food to feed everyone but unjust trade agreements are a major cause of food shortages. If everyone does a little to prevent injustice it can make a large difference.

While the Judges votes were being counted Topicsmaster Kay Quirke kept us entertained with a Table Topics session. “Bupa v VHI” was the topic that Michael Donegan had to speak, unprepared, for two minutes on.
“Boys will be boys and girls will be mothers” was the topic that Tony O’Regan was given which produced add-on’s from Brian O’Farrell and Breda O’Keeffe.

Area Governor, John Skeates who was also Chief Judge for the evening, addressed club members before announcing the winners and runners up.

Winner of the Speakeasy round of the International Speech Contest was Tim Casey with Michael Cronin, second and in third place was Eileen Corkery. Tim and Michael now represent Speakeasy in the Area Final in
The SMA Hall in Wilton, hosted by the Crusaders Club on Friday 28’th of March.

More dates for your Toastmaster Diary, Thursday 3’rd of April sees the Club holding its Tall Tales Contest
On Saturday 12’th April the Divisional Final will be held in Southcourt Hotel in Raheen, Limerick.
On Tuesday 22’nd of April there will be a Tripartite meeting hosted by Fermoy Toastmasters which will include the Area Final of the Tall Tales Contest.
Speakeasy Toastmasters Club meet again, tonight, Thursday March 20’th in the Hibernian Hotel.
Members of the public are very welcome to attend all Speakeasy Toastmasters Meetings.
For further information on the Club contact Sean on 086 6054784 or Pat 087 2364240 or visit the Club’s Website at www.clix.to/speakeasy. Email, speakeasymallow@eircom.net