Stories, Straw & Spark: A Night of Inspiration at Mallow Toastmasters

As the evenings draw in and the year moves swiftly along, P Corcoran, our ever-enthusiastic President, opened last week’s meeting with warm housekeeping notes and a reminder that the club year is flying by. He encouraged members to step forward and fill the agenda — so if you have a speech ready to share, be sure to speak with our VPE, M O’Regan.

Our Toastmaster of the evening, M Fitzpatrick, guided us seamlessly through a lively and well-balanced agenda, while B Buckley, as Topicsmaster, kept everyone on their toes with a fun and thought-provoking impromptu speaking session. H Giles kept us all on schedule as the diligent Timekeeper, ensuring a smooth flow from start to finish.

The evening began on a creative note with C O’Connell, our Poet for the night, who delighted the audience with her own beautiful composition “Angel Maid.”

Speeches That Inspired and Entertained

The first speech of the evening came from M O’Donnell, delivering her icebreaker, “Travel… A Beginner’s Mind.” It was an inspiring reflection on the openness and curiosity that travel can spark — an excellent introductory speech aptly evaluated by P Corcoran.

Next, L Flynn transported us through time with “Strawing,” a fascinating exploration of how straw has woven its way through Irish storytelling and tradition. N O’Connor offered thoughtful and encouraging feedback on this rich historical topic.

Our final prepared speech came from M Cronin, who entertained with “Are You Indecisive?… I Am Not Sure.” The humour and relatability of his delivery kept everyone smiling, and T O’Sullivan provided a succinct and supportive evaluation.

The meeting wrapped up with a comprehensive general evaluation from P Gallagher, who highlighted the evening’s strong structure, enthusiasm, and engagement from all participants.

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Looking Ahead — Upcoming Meeting (October 30th, 2025)

Next week promises another fantastic evening of speeches and creativity. We’ll enjoy 4 speeches on the night:

1. C O’Connell – 6-minute speech evaluated by B Buckley

2. H Giles – evaluated by P Corcoran

3. P Sexton – evaluated by M Lynes

4. J McConville - evaluated by Marie Fitzpatrick

It’s shaping up to be another inspiring meeting filled with learning, laughter, and connection — a reminder of what makes our Toastmasters community so special.

If you’ve been thinking about stepping up to the lectern, now’s the time. Do you have a wedding speech or work commitment to practice for? Practising English? Toastmasters might just be the place for you!

Join us as a guest this coming Thursday (30th October) in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 8pm (entrance fee €7 for room cover). See you there!

Toastmasters Campaign of Connection Bus Tour Makes a Memorable Stop in Cork City

Members of the Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters Club were delighted to attend the Toastmasters Campaign of Connection Bus Tour during its Cork City stop on Friday, 10th October 2025.

Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and treated to a vibrant joint meeting hosted by Bishopstown Toastmasters Club at the Imperial Hotel.

The event opened with a gracious welcome from Patricia Radley - Division A Director, who acknowledged the attendance of over 15 clubs from across the district — a testament to the strong sense of community that defines Toastmasters.

District 71 Director, Máiréad Dillon, shared an inspiring personal story of how her Toastmasters journey began. Once on the verge of winning a local golf tournament, she purposefully faltered on the final hole due to her fear of public speaking — a moment that ultimately led her to Toastmasters. Her story was a powerful reminder of how this organisation transforms lives by helping people find their voice and confidence.

The meeting’s Toastmaster, John Casey, extended a warm welcome to Cork City’s Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr. Ciara O’Connor. Originally from Mallow, the Deputy Lord Mayor fondly recalled her own schooldays and early exposure to Toastmasters. She reflected on how the organisation’s mission aligns perfectly with Cork’s identity as “...a city of welcomes and a city of voices.” She concluded by thanking all members — both in-person and online — for their ongoing positive contributions to civic life.

The first speaker, Paul O’Mahony, shared a captivating retelling of The Parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating how speakers can create their own modern parables within speeches. His message resonated deeply with both seasoned and aspiring speakers.

A unique highlight followed as Lilian Courtney treated attendees to a beautiful musical performance of Spancil Hill — a delightful and rare addition to a Toastmasters event. The performance provided the perfect transition into the morning break, where members from across clubs enjoyed connecting, exchanging ideas, and sharing their experiences.

After the break, Saswatee Banerjee captivated the audience with her speech on archaeology in the Indus Valley, drawing fascinating parallels between ancient history and modern life. Her insights were both educational and deeply engaging.

Next, Niamh Aherne, our poet in residence, delivered her original poem “Crows Calling.” Though light-hearted in tone, it carried a poignant environmental message — a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect pollinators. Maith thú, Niamh!

James B. Cole then took to the stage as Topicsmaster, energising the room with a series of thought-provoking and entertaining impromptu topics. From “the scariest thing imaginable” to “explaining the forbidden fruit to God,” his imaginative prompts kept everyone both challenged and amused.

Sharon Sheahan served as General Evaluator, offering constructive feedback and insightful evaluations that encouraged growth and reflection among the speakers.

To conclude the session, Kevin O’Reilly, Club Growth Director, shared his deeply personal reason for joining Toastmasters. His moving account of rediscovering his voice after more than 30 years of silence left a lasting impression on everyone present.

The event concluded with District 71 Director - Máiréad Dillon leading a photo session, presenting awards and celebrating the success of an inspiring and energising gathering.

All in all, it was a wonderful meeting — a celebration of storytelling, learning, and connection. We look forward to the next opportunity to meet fellow Toastmasters from across the district and continue sharing in the spirit of growth and communication.

Finding Our Voice: A Reflective and Inspiring Evening at Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters

The third meeting of the 2025/26 Toastmasters year took place on Thursday, October 2nd at the Hibernian Hotel, where members and guests gathered once again to share ideas, stories, and inspiration in a warm, supportive atmosphere.

Opening the Meeting

Club President Paul C opened the evening by reaffirming the Toastmasters motto — “to provide a supportive and positive learning experience where members develop communication and leadership skills, leading to increased self-confidence and personal growth.”

Paul also paid tribute to the late Jane Goodall, sharing one of her timeless reflections on humanity and compassion — a fitting opening for an evening centred on communication and connection.

Announcements and Contest News

Members were reminded of the upcoming Online Speech Contest, taking place on Sunday, October 5th at 6pm, with the winner progressing to the next round on October 19th. These contests provide an excellent opportunity for members to challenge themselves, receive feedback, and showcase the speaking and leadership skills honed throughout the year.

The Evening’s Roles and Flow

Serving as Toastmaster for the evening, Margaret O’R guided proceedings with professionalism and poise, supported by Michael C as Topicsmaster and Gillian H as General Evaluator.

With four guests in attendance, the energy in the room was bright and welcoming — a true reflection of Speak Easy Mallow’s reputation as a friendly and encouraging club.

Poet’s Corner

The evening began with a thoughtful reading by Liam F, who shared “Digging” by Seamus Heaney. The poem’s themes of work, roots, and reflection resonated deeply with the audience, setting a contemplative tone for the speeches that followed.

Prepared Speeches

Three engaging and varied speeches filled the evening:

• “You Remind Me of the Baroque” — a motivational and creative address by Bobby B, exploring personal inspiration and artistic influence.

• “The Leaving” — a presentation mastery speech by Marie L, blending emotional insight with eloquent delivery.

• “The Warm-Up Act” — a humorous and engaging talk from Paul C, offering a light-hearted close to the prepared speeches.

Each presentation showcased the diversity of speaking styles and subjects that make every Toastmasters meeting unique.

Table Topics and Evaluations

The impromptu speaking session, led by Michael C, invited participants to think quickly and creatively on their feet — always a highlight of the evening. The subsequent evaluations, coordinated by General Evaluator Gillian H, offered speakers constructive and encouraging feedback, reinforcing the club’s ethos of growth through positivity.

Looking Ahead

The meeting concluded on a high note, with members and guests alike leaving inspired by the quality of speeches and camaraderie shared.

The next meeting of Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters will be held on Thursday, October 16th at 8pm at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow. Guests are always welcome to attend — no prior speaking experience required.