Hero's

Speak Easy Toastmasters-‘Heros’

Speak Easy Toastmaster’s meeting on March 24th 2011 was another in which guests and members enjoyed themselves. The club was holding its Club International Speech and Evaluation Contest.

Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Ray Ryan, Contest Chair and Anne Buckley who was Topicsmaster.

First to the lectern was Lorretto Barry with a speech entitled ‘Expressions’.
Lorretto gave a very interesting speech regarding the origins of every day expressions including ‘nitty gritty’; ‘face the music’; ‘feathering your cap’; ‘chalk and cheese’ and ‘look a gift horse in the mouth’. She concluded her speech by reminding the audience of another every day expression- the ‘ball is in your court’.

Following Lorretto was Pat Sexton with a speech entitled ‘Time of our lives’.
Pat informed the audience that there is no past, no future, there is the gift of time called the present. All our lives consist of now moments. He concluded his speech by advising the audience to endeavor to spend time well and to enjoy it whole heartily because now is the time of our lives.

Pat was followed by Marie Fitzpatrick with a speech entitled ‘The Black Hole’.
Maire’s speech provided the audience with information and statistics regarding the huge amounts of money spent in the health service in Ireland. She referred to the benefits that will arise from the introduction of the smoking ban a few years ago.

Marie was followed by Liam Flynn with a speech entitled ‘Does the Dragon live here?’ Liam’s speech provided the audience with examples of where the poor portrayal of the ‘Mother-in-Law’ has originated from. Mother-in- Laws have been portrayed like wolves and sharks. In fairy tales the Mother –in-Law has been portrayed as the dark person. Liam counteracted this poor perception of Mother-in-Laws’ by speaking highly of his own Mother-in-Law.

Finally it was the turn of Michael Cronin with a speech entitled ‘Hero’s’. Michael’s speech was thought provoking. He gave us examples of who his hero’s are. He reminded us that there are heros all around us, including those who care for the sick and look after the less privileged. He concluded his speech by reminding the audience that ‘we are all ordinary people but capable of doing extraordinary things’.

Michael Cronin won the speech contest and Pat Sexton was runner up.

Following the speech contest Anne Roche, guest speaker, gave a very humorous entertaining speech entitled ‘Party Animal’ which was about a dinner party she hosted. This speech was the speech which was used in the evaluation contest.

Pat Sexton won the evaluation contest and Margaret O’ Regan was runner up.

Michael Cronin and Pat Sexton will represent Speak Easy Toastmasters in the Area finals International Speech and Evaluation Contest, which will be held in the Hibernian Hotel on the 7th of April 2011 at 7.50pm.

The topic session for the evening was conducted by Topicsmaster Anne Buckley. Anne had a huge amount of topics which were varied and various.

Timekeepers Bridget Breen and Joe Hassett reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up. The Sergeants at Arms for the meeting were Jerry Mulcahy and Liam Flynn.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting (The Area Finals International Speech and Evaluation Contests) at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, April 7th 2011 at 7:50PM. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or why not become follow us on Facebook

Contests Coming

One of the highlights of the toastmaster year is the international speech and evaluation competition night. To compete in the international speech competition, one deliverers a five to seven minute speech.

The winner at club level then progresses onto the area stage, which locally is area 17, including the clubs in Fermoy, Mitchelstown and Charleville. The Area winner then competes at the Division Final. Speak Easy Toastmasters is part of Division A, which includes all clubs in Cork, Kerry and Limerick County.

The Division Winner then progresses onto the District Final, competing against speakers from other divisions, across the UK and Ireland. The district winner then competes at the Toastmasters world convention.

In the evaluation competition, a guest speaker from another club delivers a speech. The competitors in the evaluation competition are led away to another room to prepare their evaluations. The competitors are then brought back one by one to deliver their evaluations. The evaluation competition progresses to district level.

You can see this in action when Speakeasy Toastmasters will hold its club evaluation and international speech competition, on March 24th at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, commencing at 7.50pm. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or why not become a Speak Easy Toastmaster Facebook.

‘Say Cheese’

Speak Easy Toastmasters-‘Say Cheese’

Speak Easy Toastmaster’s meeting on March 10th 2011 was another in which guests and members enjoyed themselves.

Joining President Margaret O’ Regan at the top table was Bridget Breen, Toastmaster who chaired the meeting and Sean Corcoran who was Topicsmaster.

First to the lectern was Marie Fitzpatrick with a speech entitled ‘Sew Sew’.
Marie gave a very interesting demonstration speech on how to use a sewing machine. She looked to the audience for a member to participate in order to show how simple a sewing machine is to use.

Following Marie was Claire O’ Connell with a speech entitled ‘Life without chocolate’. She pointed out the health benefits of chocolate in our lives particularly dark chocolate. Claire concluded her speech by giving comparisons of what life would be like without chocolate eg a cat without a house; Laurel with out Hardy.

Claire was followed by Cait Murray with a speech entitled ‘All abroad’. Cait gave a very interesting speech on why people should take the train. Trains should be used inorder to reduce the carbon footprint, assist in maintaining a link with our heritage as well as for the pleasure involved (including drama, mystery and romance)

Finally it was the turn of Mary Moynihan with a humourous speech entitled ‘Say Cheese’. Mary recounted a family event where numbers were restricted at the event thus making photographs an important element for the wider family circle.
Unfortunately the photographer did not live up to expectations on this occasion.
Mary advised the audience not to be fooled by a tripod.

The topic session for the evening was conducted by Topicsmaster Sean Corcoran. Sean had a huge amount of topics which were varied and various.
Timekeeper Bridie O’ Connell reminded speakers/people contributing to topics when their allocated times were up while grammarian/ah counter Bill Martin gave feedback at the end of the meeting on how the group performed regarding the use of ‘crutch words’ and ‘fillers’ e.g. um’s and ah’s. He encouraged the use of the word ‘innate’ which means ‘inherent’.

Jean Sayers, conducted the General Evaluation Session and conducted the part of the meeting in which speakers received feedback from their assigned evaluators who were Angela Sheehan, Anne Buckley, Joe Hassett and Pat Duggan. The Sergeants at Arms for the meeting were Jerry Mulcahy and Tony O’ Regan.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting ( The Club International speech and evaluation contests) at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, March 24th 2011 at 7:50PM. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or why not become a Speak Easy Toastmaster Facebook follower.

‘Tir gan teanga, tir gan annam’

Irish is one of the oldest and most historic written languages in the world. The earliest evidence of this is preserved in OGHAM inscriptions dating from the 4th Century. Much has changed since then and it can now be found in more than 4,500 books, on the television, on the radio, in the newspapers, magazines, and on the internet.

A question the Irish nation has been asking itself since the creation of the State is –Is the Irish Language in decline and is there any point in trying to revive it? Since Douglas Hyde founded the Gaelic League in 1893, there has been a constant battle to revive the Irish Language and Culture throughout the Country. Down through the years this revival has not been helped by large scale emigration and by the attitude taken by many Irish people who felt using the English language was the only way forward.

Despite the relative lack of Irish speakers in the country supporters of the language point out that the interest among the general public has never been greater. The language has seen a resurgence over the last few years with the advent of TG4, recognition on an EU level and the adventures of Des ‘King of the Gaeilge’ Bishop to mention but a few.

It has never been easier to improve ones Irish-even if one does not happen to be a stand up comedian who can relocate to the Gaeltacht for a year and make a successful TV show- in the name of the fada. What one can do is make a few simple and subtle changes in ones lifestyle.

Firstly, everyone knows a few words, so why not substitute ‘siopa’ for shop, ‘bainne’ for milk and everything else one remembers from school days. As they say in Irish, ‘bionn blas ar an mbeagan’ –a little tastes well.

Secondly one can take a step to increase one’s vocabulary. On the daytime commute why not tune in to Radio na Gaeltachta. The news bulletins may sound depressing but at least one can take comfort in the fact that ones Irish has improved- even if the economic climate has not. With a wide and varied output TG4 has had a positive impact on promoting the language especially amongst teenagers. Since it first went on air in 1996 it has gained a reputation for innovative programming in film, arts, drama, documentaries and sports has something for everyone from soaps to exceptional documentaries.

Thirdly there are also a number of options if one wants to brush up on ones written word. Weekly news is offered in the newspaper FOINSE. In addition a number of websites host interviews and feature pieces in our native tongue.

Fourthly if one wants to achieve full fluency, one can take the plunge and join an Irish language class. Conradh na Gaelige run classes for beginners, intermediate and advance levels all around the country. The organisation also arranges social evenings and events.

Young enthusiastic presenters like Daithi O Se, Sile Seoige and Hector O hEochagain along with programmes like Ros na Run have shown that Irish can be relevant in the Celtic Tiger.

As well as being a celebration of the Irish Language, Seachtain na Gaeilge which ends on the 17th of March is a reminder that we can all add to our cupla focal. Remember the words famously spoken from the man from Moneygall ‘yes we can’ and lets reply with a resounding Sea is feidir linn for 2011.

Speak Easy Toastmasters will hold their next meeting at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, March 10th 2011 at 7:50PM. Non-members are more than welcome to attend and will not be asked to speak. Further details about the Club are available on our website, www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or why not become a Speak Easy Toastmaster Facebook.