Speakeasy Toastmasters say ‘We Want it Now’

Another great night of entertainment at Speakeasy Toastmasters with a competitive edge; the Humourous Speech and Table Topics contest was the clubs first competition of the year and served up a wonderful fayre.

Club president Bobby Buckley welcomed all to the meeting particularly Area Director Anne Lawlor from Tralee Toastmasters, before handing over control of the meeting to Contest Chair Rachel Liston.

Claire O Connell was first up with her speech entitled ‘Boxed Up’. By her own admission Claire’s was what she called a serious speech with some injections of humour telling us of our toxic relationship with technology. Bemoaning the fact that the human aspect is even gone from shopping Claire wondered why do we have a ‘we want it now’ culture.

Next up to the lectern was Pat Sexton with a speech entitled Antartica, a rather tongue in cheek tale of his journey in his new Tesla to Mullingar. By journeys end and so down on power with no radio, no heaters and a car full of cranky passengers Pat wondered if the great explorer Tom Crean had ever suffered range anxiety. Having reached his destination at a sooty smoke, gas guzzling service station Pats parting shot to his audience was ‘why should I care about future generations; what has posterity ever done for me?’

Contestants for the Table Topics contest were Helsa Giles, Pat Sexton and Claire O Connell who battled it out with their views on the topic ‘What colour best describes your personality and why’.

Competitors and all present enjoyed a well earned break with teas and coffees before our meeting resumed with table topics.

Our Topics Master was Frances Lowry from Failte Toastmasters Charleville with a hugely entertaining and eclectic range of topics such as ‘What are you grateful for?’, ‘What motivates you to go to work?’.

Competition results were announced by Contest Chair Rachel LIsting and Pat Sexton was announced as our winner on the double claiming the Humourous Speech and Table Topics titles. Pat will now progress to the Area Finals being held in Tralee on 2^nd November.

We will endeavour to do it all again at our next meeting and you are most welcome to attend, it all takes place on Thursday 31^st October in The Hibernian Hotel at 8:00pm.

Awards: Speakeasy Toastmasters Contest Chair Rachel Liston presenting Pat Sexton with his certificate of participation in the Humourous Speech Contest

Speakeasy Toastmasters VP Education Paul Corcoran, President Bobby Buckley and Area Director Anne Lawlow (Tralee Toastmasters)