The Right Side Of The Border- Just

The Right Side Of The Border- Just

It was cold outside, but the atmosphere was warm and convivial in Speakeasy Toastmasters. Bridie O'Connell, toastmaster, with her calm, clear guidance, ensured our smooth progress through a packed program. Margaret O'Regan gave us the benefit of her advice in the role of General Evaluator assisted by Anne O'Donovan as time keeper and Helsa Giles as Grammarian.

Denis O'Mahony broke the ice tonight with his first speech, "My First Steps." He could throw a stone from his house and it would land in Co. Kerry. Thankfully he was born on the right side of the Cork border and is a very proud Cork man who  played for his local team. 

"The Ego, The Self And The Great Illusion," by Kieran Butler. "If you stare at me with a confused, bewildered look or fall asleep, that's alright." This startling opening line was followed by a deep, complex speech, drawn from the school of psychology, which explains the sense of self.

Donie Turner (Killavullen), Bobby Buckley (Dublin),
 Kieran Butler (Mallow)

It is fantastic to have Mary Buckley recovered and back with us. Her speech title was very apt "A Little Bit Of Hope." Mary inspires hope and optimism naturally, wherever she goes. Emily Dickenson said, "Hope is a living dream." Abraham Lincoln lived in hope.  He failed in business, lost numerous elections and went on to become a legendary president. Hope inspires. Hope keeps us motivated. Hope helps us deliver speeches at Speakeasy.

Bobby Buckley, a Mallow native returned  from Dublin to deliver a speech entitled, "The Diary." Bobby brought the diary of his father, who encouraged Bobby's competitive running when he was a young man. He closed his speech saying, "It is good to praise our fathers, to remember how we were, how we lived. It is great that I've this diary, a recollected treasure for my life."

"Written In Stone," by Liam O'Flynn was a collection of local stories. In the time of  the penal laws. Louisa of Ballintray House married Richard Wallace who turned Protestant. She requested a  church removed from his estate. Work group after work group refused to take down the church. They sent to Chatsworth House for workers who were Church Of England to dismantle the church, but they returned home and left the church standing.  This was a very early example of a strike that could not be broken.

David Roche as topics-masters stirred up a storm during the impromptu part of the meeting by using clichés! Here's a few quotes.
"A crow wouldn't be my favourite bird to pluck, if I was plucking." Tony O'Regan.  

"Even I don't know where this story is going to end. " Jerry O'Callaghan 

"My time for calling a spade a spade is over, and I'm now putting it down." Anne Buckley.

Brendan Foley, Ray Ryan, Noel O'Connor, Pat Sexton and Marie Fitzpatrick provided advice to the speakers in their role as evaluators. The following awards were given; Bobby Buckley (Best Speaker.) Brendan Foley (Best Evaluator.) Jerry O'Callaghan (Best Impromptu Answer in Table Topics). 

Speakeasy Toastmasters Club, Mallow, at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, at 8.00 p.m. Next meeting Thursday 5th February. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Liam on 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947