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:
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Topicsmaster: P Patton
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Timekeeper: B Foley
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General Evaluator: M Cronin
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Ah Counter: J McConville
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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:
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C O’Connell returned with her engaging and insightful speech, “Smarter Barter”, offering practical thinking around negotiation and value.
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P Corcoran followed with “Toastmasters History 101”, a fascinating look at the roots and evolution of the Toastmasters movement.
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T O’Sullivan inspired the room with “Lighting the Path – The Power of Mentoring”, a heartfelt presentation on guidance, growth, and support.
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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.
