Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters Host Engaging November Meeting

 

Members of Speak Easy Toastmasters gathered once again for an entertaining and thought-provoking evening of public speaking and fellowship recently in Mallow.

Club President P Corcoran opened proceedings with a warm address, updating members on recent developments within the Toastmasters district and highlighting the upcoming online speaking contest - District 71 online conference on Saturday November 29th. His remarks reflected the club’s strong connection to the wider Toastmasters network and its commitment to continuous development.

Two of our speakers this evening - R Liston and M O'Donnell

The evening began on a lighter note with B Buckley sharing his self-written poem “Autumn Fall” — a humorous and heartfelt reflection on the season, cleverly intertwined with the story of a recent tumble he took. The poem was warmly received and set the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable night.

Two of our evaluators for the evening - H Giles and P Sexton

The prepared speech session featured four strong contributions:

M O’Donnell delivered a reflective Presentation Mastery Level 1 speech entitled “Things to Ponder Upon”, offering thoughtful insights and personal reflection. This was evaluated by M Lynes.

M O'Donnell providing her speech on the evening.

B Foley followed with “Let Me Tell You a Story (Why I Grew a Beard)”, an engaging and humorous account of personal change, evaluated by H Giles.

Next came L Flynn with a compelling historical piece, “The History of the Hedge School in Ireland”, which explored Ireland’s educational heritage and its cultural significance. His speech was evaluated by P Sexton.

L Flynn in full flow during his speech on the night

The final speech of the evening came from R Liston, who entertained the room with an amusing retelling of “Moving Day”, evaluated by P Corcoran.

Following the tea break, J McConville took charge of a lively and engaging Table Topics session, with impromptu themes ranging from favourite music albums to reflections on Science Week in Ireland. This segment brought plenty of humour, quick thinking and audience participation.

J McConville as Topicsmaster for the evening.

The overall evaluation of the meeting was conducted by returning long-time member D McSweeney, who provided thoughtful feedback and encouragement to all participants.

Enjoying the banter at the tea break - P Gallgher and D McSweeney

The club was delighted to welcome several guests on the night and extends an open invitation to anyone interested in public speaking or self-development to attend their next meeting on December 11th at 7.45pm in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow.

Our Toastmaster for the evening - T O'Sullivan

November 13th 2025 Meeting Highlights

 

Another inspiring evening of learning, laughter, and leadership unfolded at the Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters meeting on November 13th, as members gathered for a night filled with thoughtful speeches, teamwork, and a touch of poetry.

Strong Leadership and Direction

Club President P Corcoran opened the meeting with his trademark warmth, welcoming members and guests and setting an encouraging tone for the evening.

Acting as Toastmaster, R Liston steered the programme with clarity and confidence, keeping everything moving smoothly and ensuring every speaker had their moment to shine.

P Sexton in deep conversation with P Corcoran

Dedicated Team Roles

As always, the success of the evening rested on strong teamwork.
The supporting roles were carried out with professionalism and energy:

• Topicsmaster: P Patton

• Timekeeper: B Foley

• General Evaluator: M Cronin

• Ah Counter: J McConville

• Grammarian: M O’Regan

Each role added structure and insight, ensuring the meeting ran efficiently while maintaining a supportive and enjoyable atmosphere.

Poetry Corner Moment

A special highlight of the night came from P Sexton, who delivered a powerful and dramatic reading of “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
His performance brought a sense of theatre and history to the room, giving members a moment to reflect on courage, rhythm, and the power of spoken word.

M Fitzpatrick, guest D Jones & M Lyons enjoying light refreshment on the night

Prepared Speeches

Four strong prepared speeches formed the heart of the meeting:

• C O’Connell returned with her engaging and insightful speech, “Smarter Barter”, offering practical thinking around negotiation and value.

• P Corcoran followed with “Toastmasters History 101”, a fascinating look at the roots and evolution of the Toastmasters movement.

• T O’Sullivan inspired the room with “Lighting the Path – The Power of Mentoring”, a heartfelt presentation on guidance, growth, and support.

• The evening concluded with B Buckley, whose beautifully titled speech “Mallow Goes Gently with the Rakes” paid tribute to local memory and storytelling.

Each speaker brought their own voice, style, and perspective, reminding everyone why public speaking is as much about connection as it is about communication.

P Corcoran congratulating P Patton on the successful undertaking of his Topics role on the night

Confidence, Community and Continued Growth

The meeting closed with evaluations and reflections, reinforcing Speak Easy Mallow’s supportive environment where members are encouraged to grow, challenge themselves, and celebrate progress – one speech at a time.

Speak Easy Mallow continues to be a welcoming space for anyone looking to develop confidence, leadership and communication skills in a friendly and encouraging setting.

L Flynn chatting with B Buckley on the night

New members and visitors are always welcome.

Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters Shine at October Meeting

J Marina Camarasa & P Corcoran

The Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters hosted another engaging evening of speeches, storytelling, and laughter on October 30th, drawing members and guests to their regular meeting in Mallow Hibernian Hotel.

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Club President P Corcoran opened the meeting with a warm welcome and words of encouragement, noting the club’s continued energy as the calendar years nears it's close.

H Giles, P Corcoran & M Cronin

Taking charge as Toastmaster, M Cronin guided the evening with ease and good humour, ensuring a relaxed and friendly atmosphere throughout.

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Teamwork and a Touch of Poetry

Every meeting at Speak Easy Mallow is a team effort, and this one was no exception. H Giles led an entertaining Topics session, L Flynn kept everyone on track as Timekeeper, and R Liston provided overall insight as General Evaluator.

The literary highlight came from P Patton, who delighted the room with a lively reading of “Macavity: The Mystery Cat” by T.S. Eliot. Rounding off the support roles, P Gallagher served as Ah Counter and Grammarian, helping speakers stay sharp and polished.

P Patton

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Speeches that Moved and Motivated

The prepared speeches showcased the range of talent and creativity that Speak Easy Mallow is known for.

• Juan Marina Camarasa delivered his first speech - his Icebreaker speech, “An Introduction – About Me and Motorbikes”, sharing his story with humour and warmth. He was evaluated by P Corcoran.

J Marina Camarasa & R Liston

• James McConville entertained with “May Contain Small Parts”, a witty reflection on communication and IKEA construction, evaluated by B Buckley.

• P Sexton closed the segment with a thoughtful and powerful piece titled “Strange Fruit”, evaluated by M Lynes.

P Sexton

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Encouragement and Growth

Following a short tea break, members took to the floor once more for an impromptu table topics session, offering plenty of laughter and quick thinking. The meeting ended, as always, with evaluations and positive, constructive feedback.

Club President P Corcoran summed up the evening’s spirit, saying, “Every meeting reminds us why we come together – to learn, to laugh, and to lift each other up.”

B Buckley celebrating the club's status as a select distinguished club 2024/25

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Join the Next Meeting

Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters continues to offer a welcoming space for anyone wishing to improve their confidence and communication skills in a supportive and social setting.

H Giles, M Lynes, B Buckley & P Sexton

Guests are always welcome at upcoming meetings. For more information about Toastmasters, visit the club’s Facebook page or come along to see what the Speak Easy experience is all about. Our next meeting is November 13th 2025 at 8pm in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow.

B Buckley