20 May

Speakeasy Toastmasters Mallow

Roy is the boy!

Members and guests were treated to five very diverse and interesting speeches last Thursday night during the penultimate meeting of Speakeasy Toastmasters club. First up was Elizabeth O’ Brien with a speech entitled ‘8 day wonder’ which described the preparations and activities associated with the Lenten stations which can be accomplished with just 8 days notice. Another myth was shattered, though, as she discovered that men CAN pour tea. Michael McMahon told the very strange true story of the effects of a drug used in the 60’s which resulted in the birth of 6 exceptionally good but ‘different’ children. Each of the children provoked violence towards themselves as a result of being totally non-prejudiced. The speech was entitled ‘The little victims’. The subject of Mary Buckley’s speech was Roy Keane and she read a variety of very interesting and insightful extracts from his autobiography. As a result everyone present wants to buy a copy of the book for themselves. Vivien Buckley gave an impromptu speech on the subject of ‘Excellent communication skills essential’ which described how conventional communication skills as we know them can be completely useless in certain circumstances. Appropriate skills have to be learnt in order to be able to communicate effectively with autistic adults. The final speech of the night was delivered by John Dillon, entitled ‘A unique opportunity’. In the year 2016 Ireland will be celebrating the 1916 centenary. It would be an ideal opportunity to recognise the peacemakers rather than place the emphasis on the heroes of the physical force movements. John’s hope is that the 2016 centenary will mark an end to violence and will be used as an opportunity for peace. Michael Cronin, Jane Riddell, Kieran Buckley, Jerry Mulcahy and Barry McCarthy were the speech evaluators on the night.


Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, 27th May at 8:00pm and we ask everyone attending to be at The Hibernian Hotel (Chapel Lane) at 7:50 pm.