5 June

Last Thursday evening the 29’Th of May in Chapel Lane, The Hibernian Hotel, saw the final meeting in the current Speakeasy Toastmasters Club calendar. 42 members and guests attended to hear Pat Sexton preside over his final meeting as President of the Club. It was another very special meeting as two of the members were achieving their CTM Award, (Competent Toastmaster) Mary Buckley and Sean Corcoran. Two more members achieved Advanced Toastmasters Awards, Jeremiah Roynane, ATM-S (Advanced Toastmaster- Silver) and Barry McCarthy, ATM-B (Advanced Toastmaster Bronze). Pat Sexton also presented plaques to the first President of the Speakeasy Club, Joe O’Connor (1993-94) and Ann Coughlan (1994-95) and he outlined the fantastic contributions the both had made the Club and that it was their leadership when the Club was in it’s infancy that made the Club the success that it is today. Pat also made a presentation to Club Members Ellen Broderick and Micháel Dineen who are getting married during the summer.
Pat Duggan (incoming President) was Toastmaster for the evening and he introduced the other officers on the programme, Jerry Mulcahy, Topicsmaster; Timekeeper, Tim Ahern; General Evaluator, Michael Cronin and Sgt’s at Arms Elaine O’Donovan and Kay Quirke.
The first speaker of the evening was John Murphy with a Stage 2 Speech entitled “The Part We Play” and his evaluator was Kay Quirke.
“Soul Searching” was the title of Barry McCarthy’s speech which was from the Advanced Manuals and Margaret O’Regan was his Evaluator.
Jeremiah Roynane’s speech was a monologue with the title “What Are They Marching For?” and was evaluated by Marie Fitzpatrick.
“Waste Not” was the title of Sean Corcoran’s speech which was evaluated by Claire O’Keeffe and the final speech of the night was “Life Is What You Make It” by Mary Buckley which was evaluated by Eileen Corkery.
Topicsmaster, Jerry Mulcahy kept us entertained and alert with his chosen Table Topics. “Couples may now chose to get married anywhere, what is your opinion on this?” he asked Eileen Corkery. Margret O’Regan and Michael Cronin had their say on this topic also, with Michael offering the use of his silage pit for anyone interested. “Is Mallow in need of a top grade hotel?” was the topic for Noel O’Connor. “Is Ireland too dear for tourists?” was Sean Corcoran’s topic and Mary Stack had a contribution to this topic. “Do we have a two tier health system” was the topic for Claire O’Keeffe with Barry McCarthy offering his opinion also. “Do Traffic Wardens do a good job?” was the topic for Micheál Dineen and Pat Sexton had his say here. “Should there be more emphasis on safety during the summer holidays?” Jerry Kelleher was asked and Mary Stack had an opinion on this one and finally “Was there a reason for England’s, no vote, in the Eurovision Song Contest?” was Joe O’Connor’s topic with an add on from Ellen Broderick.
On Sunday 25’th of May, the Club’s Annual Magical Mystery Tour took place in which members left Mallow by bus at 11.30 am to a destination know only to Club President, Pat Sexton. After a journey which took us through Limerick and Ennis and on through Gort towards Galway, we found ourselves gazing at the beautiful scenery along the southern shores of Galway Bay as we passed through Kinvara and Ballyvaughan before arriving at our destination which turned out to be The Alwee Cave. The day remained sunny and warm and we spend a pleasant couple of hours in the vicinity of the cave, including a guided tour of the cave itself. Then it was off again on a journey which took us through the wonderful Burren for our next stop which turned out to be the Cliffs Of Moher where another hour of so was spent admiring the beautiful scenery. The return journey took us along the coast as far as Lahinch and then it was back as far as Limerick where we had a beautiful meal in The Unicorn. On the final leg of the journey back to Mallow members of the group showed that they had more talents than public speaking as “the crack was ninety”
Club Meetings resume again on September 4’th when another exciting, action packed, entertaining year for Speakeasy Toastmasters begins. Information on the Club, photographs and events in from the Club’s activities can be seen by surfing to the Club’s Website, www.clix.to/speakeasy