Great Opening Night at Speak Easy Toastmasters, Mallowl

Great opening night at Speak Easy Toastmasters

Toastmasters international was founded by Ralph Smedly in 1924 in Santa Ana California. He and a few good friends gathered in a basement "to afford practise and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and fellowship among its members". They named there group Toastmasters.

Growth was slow during the early years but increased rapidly after World War Two and by 1954 there were nearly 1,500 toastmaster clubs. Throughout its history, Toastmasters has had over 4 million members.  In 2015 our organization has over 332,000 members in 135 countries, through some 15,400 clubs.

Speak Easy Toastmasters was founded in 1993 and is still going strong with some 40  people attending the first meeting of the new season. Marie Lyons, our incoming president, gave a warm welcome at this this initiation.  She was ably assisted by Toastmaster Liam Flynn in the role of M. C.  for the night, who also insured the meeting ran smoothly. Our time keeper was Anne O'Donovan who effortlessly kept us on the straight and timely. Claire O'Connell was grammarian and used the word 'harbinger' as her word of the night.

 

The ladies enjoy a cup of tea.

 (L to R) Ann Buckley, Loretto Barry and Angela Sheehan.

We had four wonderful speeches ranging on topics from exercise to national finance. Sean Corcoran’s experiences shone through as he hilariously told us his survival guide for the gym and took speech of the night. Marie Fitzpatrick gave a special occasion speech (a roast!).  She chose Michael Fingleton and took what might be a rather dry subject and conveyed it with a sardonic humorous twist. Dermot Kennedy’s speak was “Life Lessons” and it certainly lived up to the title. He gave us five useful anecdotes for his own life. Pat Sexton as always gave us plenty of food for thought; interpreting poetry. He read an extract from author Joseph O’Conner’s book “Don’t speak; Ode to the Celtic Tiger”. Each orator’s speech was warmly applauded. 

Noel O’Connor, as Table Topics Master put great though and effort into his questions and he didn’t disappoint with six topics and nine add-ons. Ann Buckley was general evaluator, and awarded best topic to Marie Lyons and best evaluation to Margaret O’Regan.

Last, but not least, the meeting would not have taken place, only for the efforts of Brendan Foley, the new E.V.P. putting together such a successful program, working tirelessly through the summer behind the scenes. All-in-all, it was a great night, enjoyed by everyone. If you are looking for something different to get involved with this September, why not try Toastmasters? Guests are very welcome and you will not be asked to speak, in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 8pm sharp on the 24^th of September. For further information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Brendan Foley on 087 7938641 or Marie Lyons on 087 9746947.