An evening of first speeches, confidence and community in the Hibernian Hotel
A Night Dedicated to New Beginnings
Speak Easy Toastmasters gathered on Thursday, 19th March 2026 at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, for a special meeting themed “New Voices.” The evening focused on giving the newest members the opportunity to step up and deliver their first speeches in a the most supportive and encouraging environment.
Club President Paul Corcoran opened proceedings, before handing over to Toastmaster Claire O’Connell, who guided the meeting with warmth and professionalism, ensuring a relaxed atmosphere for both members and guests.
A Strong Team Behind the Scenes
A full team supported the evening’s programme. Marie Lynes led the Table Topics session as Topicsmaster, while Maria O’Donnell carefully managed time. Bobby Buckley took on the role of General Evaluator, overseeing the quality and flow of the meeting.
Additional roles were carried out by Rachel Liston as Ah Counter and Noel O’Connor as Grammarian, both contributing to the educational aspect of the evening.
A reflective moment came during Poetry Corner, where Michael Cronin delivered Seamus Heaney’s “When All the Others Were Away at Mass,” adding a thoughtful and cultural touch to the proceedings.
New Members Step Into the Spotlight
The highlight of the evening was the series of prepared speeches, particularly from new members taking their first steps on the Toastmasters journey.
Anastasiya Svezhentseva opened with “Finding Myself Again,” an Icebreaker speech that introduced her poignant story to the audience.
This was closely followed by Rose Murphy with “The Edge,” another Icebreaker that demonstrated confidence and honesty. Both speeches were warmly received and evaluated by Margaret O’Regan and Michael Cronin respectively.
More experienced speakers also took to the stage. Juan Miguel Camarasa delivered “When You Wish for Something, but It Goes Wrong,” a Presentation Mastery Level 1 speech evaluated by Pat Sexton.
The final speech of the night came from Peter Patton with his original piece “Luck or Maven,” evaluated by Brendan Foley.
Beyond the Club: Opportunities to Go Global
During the meeting, PRO James McConville shared an informative update on the opportunities available to members beyond the local club. From attending online meetings in Blarney to Australia, Toastmasters offers members the chance to connect, learn and speak on a global stage — one of the many unique benefits of joining.
A Supportive Finish and Looking Ahead
Following a sociable break with tea and coffee, the meeting concluded with a comprehensive evaluation session led by Bobby Buckley, reinforcing the supportive and developmental ethos of Toastmasters.
The evening was widely regarded as a great success, with new members already looking forward to returning to the podium.
Join Us at the Next Meeting
Speak Easy Mallow Toastmasters meets every second Thursday at the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, from 7.45pm for an 8.00pm start, finishing at 10.00pm.
The next meeting will take place on April 2nd 2026, and new guests are always welcome. Anyone interested in building confidence, improving communication skills, or simply trying something new is encouraged to come along and experience it for themselves.
