The spice of life.

Each Toastmasters meeting is a journey, or to more precise, a number of journeys as members of the audience get the opportunity to walk a mile in someone else's shoes when speakers share their stories, opinions and interests. 

Maria Connolly, Sean Corcoran & Michael Donegan. 

At last week's meeting, the audience were treated with two Icebreakers from new members. Shane O'Donnell presented "My Journey". Shane spoke of his journey from Mitchelstown to Mallow on alternate Thursday nights to Speakeasy to overcome his anxieties about speaking before an audience. He spoke of his life's journey, focusing on his career choices. Admitting that his reasons for choosing teaching were the short hours and the months of June, July and August, he realised that while the hours were good, teaching was not for him. "Choose a career that you like" was his candid advice. He spoke of other challenges too, not least his support of Leeds United!

Claire O'Connell brought us on a different journey. Fulfilling the role of TV interviewer, she chose Theresa O'Reilly as her interviewee. Claire's questions focused on Theresa's interest in horse riding. Theresa provided a fascinating insight into the work required in the horse industry, the training, the riding and the mucking out. Indeed, learning to ride a horse has it's lessons for life - "when you're thrown off a horse, you get back on the saddle straight away". Claire's interview elicited some fascinating facts on horse racing including the average pace of a racing horse - 48.2km.

Anne Marie Linehan presented her Icebreaker speech - "The benefit of exercise and activity for the older adult". She spoke of the challenges associated with old age when social interaction diminishes. She stressed the importance of promoting physical activities for the aged and it's cardiovascular benefits. She highlighted the need for social interaction and "fun" as a way to improve the phycological well being of the elderly.

In the final speech of the evening, Verna Byrne enlightened her audience with a look at "Superstitions, past and present".Why are we afraid to " walk under ladders"? It's an old Egyptian superstition where a ladder against a wall created a triangle that dissects the Gods. In Turkey, the chewing of gum after dark is likened to chewing rotted flesh. The tradition of saying "bless you"when someone sneezes goes back to the time of Pope Gregory in the sixth century as an incantation against plague. Sometimes, rituals can be confused with superstition. The tennis star, Rafa Nadal observes a very strict routine before and during matches in the way he places his water bottles. Perhaps, superstition should be treated with "a pinch of salt". In which case, it do we throw it over our shoulders?

Shane O'Donnell, Verna Byrne, Claire O'Connell & Anne Marie Linehan

Each speaker was subjected to a thorough evaluation from the team of evaluators. "Commend, recommend and commend" was the strategy applied by Noel O'Connor, Rachel Liston, Vincent Harris and Michael Cronin. At the meeting's conclusion, the GeneralEvaluator, Don McSweeney presented the Best Speaker Award to Shane O'Donnell and Best Evaluation to Rachel Liston.

The Division B Finals of the Speech and Evaluation Contests took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Limerick recently. Speakeasy was ably represented by Sean Corcoran, Brendan Foley and Pat Sexton. Ultimate victory went elsewhere on the day with Jane Sheehan, Killarney and Helen Dagnall, West Limerick emerging as the Speech and Evaluation Contests winners. Pat Sexton was placed second in the Evaluation Contest. The Club wishes both Jane and Helen every success in the District Finals in Norwich in May.

The next Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting will take place on Wednesday, 17th April in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 8.00PM. Please note the change of night which is due to Easter Week. As always, guests are welcome to attend. Why not take thisopportunity to check out the club. Guests are never coerced to speak but are welcome to do so. Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday, 17th. 

For more information about our Club, please check out our website,speakeasytoastmasters.com or on Facebook. 

"Literary Speaking"

Speakeasy Toastmasters Club will hold "a theme night" on Thursday, 2nd May in the Hibernian Hotel at 8.00PM. "Literary Speaking" will be a night where the magic of the written word will be brought to life through the interpretive readings byvarious members. Well known Irish writers will have their words lifted from the pages of books and given meaning. Extracts from writers like Maeve Binchy, Myles NaGcopoleen and Joseph O'Connor will feature. Bobby Buckley will present "Beuwolf". Also scheduled is Sean Corcoran's rendition of "The Letter", based on the writings of John B Keane. Former member, the late John Dillon will be remembered by Anne Buckley's interpretation of one of his short stories.

In all, it promises to be a wonderful night for lovers of books and for anyone seeking entertainment. The Club extends an invite to the community to come along to this exciting event. 

Developing the skills of effectively delivering a speech or interpreting the words of others is just one of the many benefits of Toastmasters membership. Another skill that members acquire is the art of impromptu speaking or "speaking off the cuff". This assists members to hone their interpersonal communication skills - so essential in work situations and interviews. At the last Speakeasy meeting, Vincent Harris conducted the "Topics Session". Among the many topics discussed by members was our annual Feast Day "St. Patrick's Day" where "Leo met Conor" in America. Deirdre Linehan made an insightful contribution on the vexed question of "transgender in sports-is it a level playing field?" The question of whether Katie Taylor is "Ireland's GreatestSportswoman"elicited a big response. Given the "blood and bandage" nature of County Cork, much mention of our wonderful Camogie and Ladies Football Teams and notable stars like Rena Buckley and Breege Corkery were nominated. On a seasonal note, the subject of "the Dawn Chorus" brought a beautiful response from Jillian Harris and the chatter of birdsong in her garden.This contribution was deemed to be the Best Topic Contribution. 

Speech Evaluators Pat Sexton, Verna Byrne, Claire O'Connell, Bridie O'Connell & Bobby Buckley. 

The next Speakeasy Meeting will take place on Thursday, 4th April in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow at 8.00PM. At this meeting, it will be "business as usual" with Speeches, Evaluation and Topics Session. It promises to be a great night of entertainment and wordsmithery which will include an Ice-breaker Speech. As always, guests are welcome to attend and are never required to speak unless they wish to do so. The Club looks forward to seeing you on Thursday night. 

For more information, please check out our website, speakeasytoastmasters.com or on Facebook.