It was an eclectic meeting this week at Speakeasy Toastmasters. Speech topics that ranged far and wide, between Emmeline Pankhurst to Nordic TV programs. The meeting was in the capable hands of Toastmaster Claire O' Connell who joined President Jerry Mulcahy and Topicsmaster Marie Fitzpatrick at the top table.
Bridie O'Connell was working from the Interpretative Readings Manual when she chose to read the moving words of Emmeline Pankhurst who spoke on the subject of womens rights and the manner in which women had to fight for them, in the early 20th century. It was as that great woman put it, "what Civil War is like when Civil War is waged by women" It was a powerful speech and wonderfully interpreted by Bridie, who was evaluated by Tom O'Connor.
Brendan Foley gave a most accomplished and amusing speech with a historic twist on the subject of economic bubbles, tracing the first economic bubble to the 1630's in Holland when demand for tulips took off until eventually the bubble burst and the inflated price of tulips crashed. At least it was felt, - we'll never get caught like this again.....and that line certainly got a laugh. Ray Ryan evaluated Brendan's speech.
Marie Lynes had a captivated audience with a stirring speech where she brought the union leader James Larkin to life and took us all back to a time of terrible hardship for working people. A man who didn't deal in compromise but the "Workers Champion" without a doubt.
Down the dark corridors of Nordic Drama we were taken next by Pat Sexton who lauded the nineties for the great TV shows it produced like the Sopranos and the West Wing. Now apparently its the turn of the Danes whose fairytales are definitely grimmer but have the edge. Pat did PRO for BBC4 where we can find this fare. Tongue firmly in cheek one presumes, Pat suggested this was his recipe for increasing refinement. Tony O'Regan evaluated Pat's speech.
Finally Pat Duggan, working from the "Educational Speech Manual" gave a most useful speech accompanied by handout. The topic was "Concluding your Speech" and it was a wonderfully clear succinct speech.
Marie Fitzpatrick set the audience thinking with a wide selection of topics.
The General Evaluator for the meeting was Anne Buckley who ably evaluated the evaluators and the meeting as a whole
Angela Sheehan did timekeeping duties.
All were warmly welcomed to the meeting by Sergeant at arms, Mary Moynihan, Marie Lynes and Ronan Condon.
Speak Easy Toastmasters meet on alternate Thursdays at 8pm at the Hibernian Hotel Mallow. Next meeting Thurs May 16th.
Non members are most welcome and never asked to speak.
Contact Jerry 0863752895,or Noel 0872427485.
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