The International Speech Contest featured the following speeches.
Anthony
Garvey delivered a speech entitled, "Mature Student. " It was only ten
days to exams when a rumour rocked the campus. The most head wrecking,
brain twisting exam had been stolen and was available on line for the
mere sun of 300 euro. Anthony had forgotten about exams during the
cultural exchange of youth and adult, but he was here to tell us that
education can not be bought. Anthony won first place.
Holly
Blake delivered a speech entitled, "A Good Sense Of Humour." Holly was
climbing a mountain in Nepal, when life changed for her. Her father was
diagnosed with motor neurons disease. There was no cure, but his sense
of humour developed and kept everyone laughing. During her absence, her
father bowed out gracefully. Holly challenged everyone to grab life and
live it to the full. Holly won second place.
Tom
O'Connor laid bare the mysterious link between music and the soul. The
creative chemistry of artists who were held in one of the concentration
camp in World War 2 produced a spectacular rendition of a requiem under
the most atrocious of conditions. Tom won third place.
Joey
O'Leary delivered a speech entitled, "Tunnels. " In life there are
different tunnels. Tunnels that bring you from A to B, and tunnels that
are emotional. Emotional tunnels are difficult to navigate your way out
of. Joey encouraged everyone to reach out to those around them. The
smallest gesture can provide a sign-post, guiding a person towards the
way out of their own emotional tunnel. Toast Masters is an organisation
which raises confidence, and can serve as a light in the difficult
times.
Christine
Conway delivered a speech entitled, "Down, Down and Away. " Saint
Patrick's Day is celebrated world wide, due in no small way to
enforced economic emigration. Her own children were unable to climb the
career ladder in Ireland, because there was no ladder. Someone had taken
the ladder away. Three of her children have emigrated and she was
delighted by the surprise present of a trip to Perth Australia to visit
her children. She was tempted to remain in the balmy heat of Australia,
but she decided to go home and say, not goodbye but see you soon, to
her children.
Michael
Barrett delivered a speech entitled, " First Date." When he was in
college, Michael experienced that common difficulty, the lack of a
partner for a ball. By a stroke of luck he met a beautiful girl at the
bus stop and made a date. They agreed to meet under the Mangan's clock.
Unfortunately many a couple had the same plan. Michael tried to identify
his date. Peering into the face of each girl, he eventually identitied
his date on round two. Poor Michael was left looking for that silver
lining among the clouds as his dream evening fell apart.
The
Evaluation Test Speech was provided Brian McLoughlin. "The Ice Cream
Cone." After a heart attack, a nun began to feel guilt about her style
of teaching. People assured her that she had done her best for her
pupils. Her guilt centred around one girl. Enventually she came to
realise that that girl had handed her a peace offering long ago, in the
form of an ice cream cone. Through this moment of clarity she gained
both peace and happiness.
The
contestants were awarded; Olivia Dunne 1st, Pat Sexton 2nd and Anthony
Galvin 3rd. Claire Maloney, Justine McCarthy and Ted Mellamphy provided
competition.
Congratulations and best wishes to our winners in the next round.
