Sunday, February 15, 2015

The best “Best Man” Speech Ever!

Ireland is a nation of talkers. We have a way with words that is hard to match.  However when a friend described writing his Best Man’s speech as, “walking on a tightrope over a mine field, on a windy day,” I had to sympathise! He needed to be funny enough so people didn’t fall asleep mid speech, but respectable enough not to shock the parents and new in-laws. Of course his friends were going to be there to support him, complete with three stop watches and a pile of cash to bet on the length of his speech! I did the only thing a good friend could do, and recommended that he join toastmasters for a few months.

Angela and Joanne at Speakeasy Toastmasters
Toastmasters is a public speaking club, with speakers who range from master to beginner levels. You will have the opportunity to listen to others and try your hand at delivering your own speeches. With plenty of support and advice available, it’s the perfect place for you to start on the road to the best, “Best Man” speech ever delivered!
You are invited to the next Speakeasy Toastmasters Club meeting at 8pm Mallow, Thursday 19th February, at the Hibernian Hotel. We meet alternate Thursdays. For more information go to www.speakeasytoastmasters.com or contact Liam on 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947

Saturday, February 07, 2015

Basil The Hand Puppet

Mary, our Toastmaster for the evening, was assisted by Helsa Giles as Time Keeper and by Claire O'Connell as Grammarian.
Basil The Hand Puppet along with Rona Coghlan, delivered a speech entitled, "What Should The Rules Be?" Basil shared his opinions on everything from cheese to the meaning of life, with the audience.
Marlene O'Mahony delivered a speech entitled, "Shantaram." This is the title of an autobiography by Mr. David Gregory Roberts. Roberts was a thief, who was inspired by Ned Kelly. He was called the gentleman bandit. He wore a three piece-suit and said, "please" and "thanks," during his robberies. He only robbed places with adequate insurance cover. Eventually he was incarcerated, but escaped. He reinvented himself in Mumbai, India, running a free health clinic, funded by the local mafia. He went drugs running and escaped from jail  twice more. After his dramatic career, he returned to charity work in the Mumbai slums.
Glamorous Ladies At Speakeasy; Claire O'Connell,
 Helsa Giles, Mary Moynihan
Marie Fitzpatrick delivered a speech entitled, "All Hail You Leo." Leo Varadkar has taken steps to reduce alcohol consumption in Ireland including, reducing low cost alcohol sales and selling bottles of wine for no less than nine euro. Our drinks culture needs reviewing, if not for our own good, then for the good of our children.
Pat Sexton delivered a speech entitled, "The Phantom Of Liberty." Martin Luther King said, "Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor. It must be demanded by the oppressed." A voter turn out of less than fifty percent for elections in Ireland, suggests that apathy can set in, in the face of freedom. Freedom  is decided by the lottery of our birth. 
Mary Moynihan, our favourite Kerry person, took the role of Topics Master. The aim of this is to elicit an interesting answer.The question of,"who will win next September?" Mary answered, "Cork." "The price of peace for Rory Mcilroy," wasn't worrying Liam. "Spring is the nicest time of the year," and Bridie agrees.  Anne would name her memoirs, "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing." "W. B.Yeats said that romantic Ireland is dead and gone. It's with O'Leary in the grave," but Marie sees much creativity among our youth and couldn't agree with this line.
Evaluators included Kieran Butler, Michael Cronin, Anne Buckley and Angela Sheehan. Brendan Foley took the role of General Evaluator 
Davis College U.N. forum was attended by Pat Sexton and Liam Flynn on behalf of Speakeasy Toastmasters, and they thoroughly enjoyed the event. 
You are invited to our next meeting at, "The Hibernian Hotel,"Mallow on February 19th at 8.00pm.For
  Further information visit our website at www.speakeasytoastmasters.com
 
  or  contact Liam 087 6380053 or Marie 087-9746947