An invitation

An invitation.
Speakeasy Toastmasters Club invites you to attend our opening meeting of the new season in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on Thursday,5th September at 8.00 PM.

It is that time of year again.The nights are closing in, there is an Autumnal feel in the air, the All-Ireland Finals have been lost and won. It is a time that we seek out meaningful pursuits to prise us away from that "box in the corner"and all the ballyhoo about Brexit and Trump.Adult education classes become popular. Speakeasy Toastmasters is adult education and personal development course rolled into one with a lot of entertainment attached.

Committee Members at Officer training 

Like all adult education classes, Speakeasy helps it's members acquire and develop a skill. Our focus is on effective communication.The skill of speaking with confidence is hugely beneficial in work related presentations,in sporting and other voluntary or community organisations and in interpersonal communication.

Members of Toastmasters come from all walks of life and have varying skill levels. Some have prior experience of speaking in front of an audience and wish to develop their skills further, others join as inexperienced beginners and over a period of time become adept at communicating their ideas.The Toastmasters programme is self- paced, members present speeches when they feel they are ready. And assistance is on hand to help members at every step of the way.

Now in our 27th year, Speakeasy draws it's membership from the large hinterland area of North Cork - from "the County bounds" with Kerry to the Tipperary border. Our members hail from Kiskeam to Kildorrery, from Cecilstown to Castletownroche, from Banteer to Buttevant as well as the Mallow area. Our meetings have been described as hotbeds of education, entertainment and "the occasional gush of hot air".

 Our incoming President Theresa O'Reilly describes Speakeasy as "having a hugely positive impact on his life.Over a few short years,I became comfortable about speaking before an audience and give presentations at work. Toastmasters enables us to speak out". Theresa believes that the biggest gift that Toastmasters gives it's members is self-confidence. Youget better all the time.You believe that you can do it.And  help and goodwill you get from other club members is inspiring". Theresa's aim over the coming season is to preside over " enjoyable and rewarding meetings where new members and guests will feel at home".

So,why not let Speakeasy be your night class and forthnighly workout.You are welcome to attend our first meeting in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow on the 5th September at 8.00 PM.Guests are always welcome to attend our forthrightly meetings and are never obliged to speak unless they wish to do so.You are guaranteed a night of education, entertainment, humour and refreshments. For further information on Toastmasters and it's benefits, please check out our website speakeasytoastmasters.com   or on Facebook.

Tom O'Connor

It is the Third Anniversary of the sad passing of Tom O'Connor. 

Tom joined Speakeasy Toastmasters in Autumn 2012. He made a huge impact on those who witnessed his many wonderful speeches. Especially memorable was his tale of the Leaving Cert students walking up Mallow's Main Street with a "coffin"! Social justice and The Holocaust were two subjects that featured frequently in his speeches.

A casual conversation with Tom was always entertaining and fascinating. 

Tom continues to occupy a special place in our memories. 

New Committee

Speakeasy Toastmasters Committee 2019 - 2020

Back row-Don McSweeney, Membership; Ann Nyhan, Secretary; Claire O'Connell, Hospitality; Marie Fitzpatrick, Treasurer; Pat Sexton, PRO;

Front row-Verna Byrne, Hospitality Theresa O'Reilly, President; Rachel Liston, Education; Susan Hegarty, Hospitality. 

Subject: Speakeasy Toastmasters

The gift of confident communication can be yours.

Can you always say what you really mean? Are you confident about speaking in public?Do you need to speak a few well chosen words on special occasions? If you find that you are apprehensive about speaking before an audience take consolation.You are good company! In various surveys, almost half the people questioned listed speaking in public as their number one fear,outranking even the fear of death.

This is where Speakeasy Toastmasters comes in. We are based in Mallow and serve the North Cork area from Western Duhallow to the Tipperary border. The Club is devoted to assisting our members to overcome their nervousness and to express their thoughts,ideas and opinions through an enjoyable,yet professional educational programme."Learning by doing" is the most effective and satisfying of learning, and this is how Toastmasters works. You will start speaking and just get better and better.

The Toastmasters programme will help you overcome the initial nervousness everyone experiences when speaking before an audience.It will show you how to make "your butterflies fly in formation". The first speech a new member delivers is called "the ice breaker", an opportunity to introduce yourself to your audience.From then on you work at a pace that suits you.You will practice techniques on constructing a speech and grabbing the audience's attention.You will gain valuable experience in vocal variety and the use of body gestures.

To assist each member, the Toastmasters programme includes evaluation.Every speech delivered is evaluated by another member, providing helpful and positive feedback, enabling the speaker to grow in confidence and competence

Thinking "on the spot" is another skill you will acquire in Toastmasters.Each meeting has an impromptu segment known as the"Topics Session" where you respond to topic and give your opinions.Speaking "off the cuff"in this fashion hones your inter-personal communication skills which are essential in job interviews, social,home and workplace situations.

All of this takes place within the format of a meeting which is always varied, educational, entertaining and friendly.The motto of Speakeasy Toastmasters is -"We learn most in moments of enjoyment".Since our establishment in 1993, Speakeasy Toastmasters has assisted hundreds of members to speak out in style and confidence and to acquire valuable leadership skills. If you wish to acquire or improve your communication skills why not pay us a visit? Toastmasters is a low cost any highly rewarding communications and personal development course.

The first meeting of the new Speakeasy Toastmasters season is on Thursday,5th of September in The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 8.00PM sharp.Guests are always welcome to attend and are never cajoled into speaking unless they wish to do so.We look forward to seeing you at this or at any of our forthrightly meetings thereafter.

For further information on Toastmasters, please check out our website, speakeasytoastmasters.com or on Facebook.Alternatively, you can contact President Threesa O'Reilly 087-6699156.

A new President

Speakeasy Toastmasters have elected a new President. Newmarket native, Theresa O'Reilly will serve in that prestigious role for the 2019 - 2020 Season. 

Sean Corcoran & Theresa O'Reilly 

Theresa joined the Bishopstown Toastmasters Club in 2012. "I wanted to learn the necessary skills to organise my thoughts and ideas into interesting speeches. I felt it would help me in my job if I could speak well at work. Toastmasters has given me the confidence to articulate my views in social situations and with work colleagues. I also find that Toastmasters' meetings can be very motivational as members speak about their experiences and interests.The home spun, hard - won wisdom of ordinary people can be so uplifting".

Theresa joined Speakeasy Toastmasters in 2015 and has been active in all facets of Club activities. She has presented a wide range of speeches covering a myriad of topics from Sporting prowess to the importance of sleep to Social Media Addiction. She has also served in positions of leadership within the club. Last year, Theresa served as the Club's Vice president of Education which involves the organising of the programme for each meeting. 

Theresa is looking forward to the year ahead and believes that Toastmasters is for everyone. "There is a common misconception that Toastmasters is for Solicitors, Auctioneers and Sales Reps. That is not true. Speakeasy members come from all walks of life and all age groups. Our members are farmers, teachers, nurses, Public Servants and retirees. We have members from all over North Cork, not just the Mallow area who bring their own points of view to our meetings "

Theresa also thinks that" people believe that Toastmasters is only for really good speakers. That's not true either. When I joined Toastmasters, I was quite anxious about speaking in front of an audience. However, I found that the supportive members helped me to relax and grow in confidence.Every time I spoke, I felt was improving. I have found the Toastmasters experience to be both positive and motivational".

Speakeasy Toastmasters are hosting their first meeting of the season on Thursday, 5th September in The Hibernian Hotel Mallow at 7.45 PM. Guests are always welcome at all meetings and are never obliged to speak, unless they wish to do so. 

For more information on Speakeasy, please check out our website speakeasytoastmasters.com or Facebook. Alternatively, you can contact President Theresa O'Reilly - 087 6699156.