5 June

Last Thursday evening the 29’Th of May in Chapel Lane, The Hibernian Hotel, saw the final meeting in the current Speakeasy Toastmasters Club calendar. 42 members and guests attended to hear Pat Sexton preside over his final meeting as President of the Club. It was another very special meeting as two of the members were achieving their CTM Award, (Competent Toastmaster) Mary Buckley and Sean Corcoran. Two more members achieved Advanced Toastmasters Awards, Jeremiah Roynane, ATM-S (Advanced Toastmaster- Silver) and Barry McCarthy, ATM-B (Advanced Toastmaster Bronze). Pat Sexton also presented plaques to the first President of the Speakeasy Club, Joe O’Connor (1993-94) and Ann Coughlan (1994-95) and he outlined the fantastic contributions the both had made the Club and that it was their leadership when the Club was in it’s infancy that made the Club the success that it is today. Pat also made a presentation to Club Members Ellen Broderick and Micháel Dineen who are getting married during the summer.
Pat Duggan (incoming President) was Toastmaster for the evening and he introduced the other officers on the programme, Jerry Mulcahy, Topicsmaster; Timekeeper, Tim Ahern; General Evaluator, Michael Cronin and Sgt’s at Arms Elaine O’Donovan and Kay Quirke.
The first speaker of the evening was John Murphy with a Stage 2 Speech entitled “The Part We Play” and his evaluator was Kay Quirke.
“Soul Searching” was the title of Barry McCarthy’s speech which was from the Advanced Manuals and Margaret O’Regan was his Evaluator.
Jeremiah Roynane’s speech was a monologue with the title “What Are They Marching For?” and was evaluated by Marie Fitzpatrick.
“Waste Not” was the title of Sean Corcoran’s speech which was evaluated by Claire O’Keeffe and the final speech of the night was “Life Is What You Make It” by Mary Buckley which was evaluated by Eileen Corkery.
Topicsmaster, Jerry Mulcahy kept us entertained and alert with his chosen Table Topics. “Couples may now chose to get married anywhere, what is your opinion on this?” he asked Eileen Corkery. Margret O’Regan and Michael Cronin had their say on this topic also, with Michael offering the use of his silage pit for anyone interested. “Is Mallow in need of a top grade hotel?” was the topic for Noel O’Connor. “Is Ireland too dear for tourists?” was Sean Corcoran’s topic and Mary Stack had a contribution to this topic. “Do we have a two tier health system” was the topic for Claire O’Keeffe with Barry McCarthy offering his opinion also. “Do Traffic Wardens do a good job?” was the topic for Micheál Dineen and Pat Sexton had his say here. “Should there be more emphasis on safety during the summer holidays?” Jerry Kelleher was asked and Mary Stack had an opinion on this one and finally “Was there a reason for England’s, no vote, in the Eurovision Song Contest?” was Joe O’Connor’s topic with an add on from Ellen Broderick.
On Sunday 25’th of May, the Club’s Annual Magical Mystery Tour took place in which members left Mallow by bus at 11.30 am to a destination know only to Club President, Pat Sexton. After a journey which took us through Limerick and Ennis and on through Gort towards Galway, we found ourselves gazing at the beautiful scenery along the southern shores of Galway Bay as we passed through Kinvara and Ballyvaughan before arriving at our destination which turned out to be The Alwee Cave. The day remained sunny and warm and we spend a pleasant couple of hours in the vicinity of the cave, including a guided tour of the cave itself. Then it was off again on a journey which took us through the wonderful Burren for our next stop which turned out to be the Cliffs Of Moher where another hour of so was spent admiring the beautiful scenery. The return journey took us along the coast as far as Lahinch and then it was back as far as Limerick where we had a beautiful meal in The Unicorn. On the final leg of the journey back to Mallow members of the group showed that they had more talents than public speaking as “the crack was ninety”
Club Meetings resume again on September 4’th when another exciting, action packed, entertaining year for Speakeasy Toastmasters begins. Information on the Club, photographs and events in from the Club’s activities can be seen by surfing to the Club’s Website, www.clix.to/speakeasy

1 May

Speakeasy Toastmasters Club.
At the Speakeasy Toastmasters Club meeting of Wednesday 17’th of April Jerry Mulcahy delivered an advanced speech entitled “Encourage and Recommend” in which he told us how the benefits that he got from the members evaluating his speeches in the Club gave him “the courage and the idea to start a Toastmasters Club in Cope Foundation”. The name of the Club is “The Nice And Easy Toastmasters Club. Jerry gave us an insight into how this Club operates; the assistance that he got from the other Toastmasters clubs and also the many benefits that that the members of “Nice And Easy” get from being involved in a Toastmasters Club.
Jerry’s speech was evaluated by Tim Casey.
Also delivering an advanced speech was Jerry O’Callaghan whose project was to make an after dinner speech and he choose to make the speech at his “retirement function” (just for Toastmaster purposes). It was entitled “Reflections” and was a humorous look at his working life, the people he knew over the years and the people who influenced him.
Marie Fitzpatrick evaluated Jerry’s speech.
The final speech of the evening was a Toastmaster Educational Session, which was delivered by Immediate Past President, Dermot Meany. Dermot informed the attendance how Toastmaster Club Committees work, the positions available on the committee and the function of the different roles. This was a timely speech by Dermot as the Club AGM takes place tonight, Thursday 1’st of May.
Topicsmaster Mary Buckley entertained us with such topics as “Childrens birthday Parties”, Elaine Ó’Donovan was asked. This topic also produced “add ons” from Pat Duggan, Deirdre Lenihan, Mary Stack and Tony Ó’ Regan. “The number one addiction in Ireland today is” was the topic given to Jerry Kelleher. “There’s no show like a Joe show” was the topic that Kieran Buckley had to speak for two minutes on. “Tied to Mama’s apron strings” Tony Ó’ Regan was asked and it prompted, “Add ons” from Jeremiah Roynane, Pat Sexton and Jerry Ó’Callaghan. The topic Eileen Corkery was asked was, “Would the price of easter eggs or the calories worry you most?” and Jerry Mulcahy and Marie Fitzpatrick had their say on this one.
Jeremiah Roynane conducted the evaluation session and presented ribbons to Angela Sheehan for best speech,
Kay Quirke as best evaluator and Jerry Kelleher as best topic.

Tripartite Meeting, Fermoy.
Members of Speakeasy Toastmasters enjoyed a very pleasant evening in the company of Toastmasters from Crusaders
Toastmasters Club and Fermoy Toastmasters on Tuesday evening, April 21’st.
The evening was hosted by Fermoy Toastmasters and also included the Area Final of the Tall Tales Contest.
Speakeasy Members who took part on the program were Deirdre Lenihan who delivered a Stage 3 speech, Kay Quirke evaluated an advanced speech, Sean Corcoran competed in the Tall Tales Contest and was the winner of the event, and Michael Cronin was General Evaluator.

10’th Aniversary Celebration Night
Almost 100 Toastmasters and Guests attended the Club’s 10’th Aniversary Celebration night in the Hibernian Hotel on Saturday last, 26’th April. Toastmaster for the evening was Tony O’Regan who introduced five memorable speakers and speeches from the last 10 years. The speakers were Matt Lawlee, Joan Lenihan, Eileen Corkery, Kieran Buckley and Jerry Kelleher. Club President, Pat Sexton spoke on the history of the club and also on the Presidents of each year and the invaluable contributions that each made to the Club. The Presidents were, 1993/94 Joe O'Connor, 1994/95 Ann Coughlan, 1995/96 Matt Lawlee, 1996/97 John Stack, 1997/98 Marie Fitzpatrick, 1998/99 Jeremiah Roynane, 1999/00 Kieran Buckley, 2000/01 Michael Cronin’
2001/002 Dermot Meaney. Pat made a presentation to each, and in turn received a presentation from Club Secretary, Angela Sheehan. Speakeasy members were delighted to see so many past members of the Club present and also the many friends from other Toastmaster Clubs who joined in the celebrations.

AGM.
The next meeting of Speakeasy Toastmasters Club will take place tonight, Thursday 1’st May at 8pm Sharp. The Club will also hold their AGM tonight at the conclusion of the regular club meeting.
For further information on the Club contact Sean on 086 6054784 or Pat 087 2364240 or visit the Club’s Website at www.clix.to/speakeasy. Email, speakeasymallow@eircom.net