New Year Cheer

There was a great atmosphere at the clubs first meeting of 2016 with up to thirty people in attendance, many of them guests for the first time. Those present were treated to wide variety of speeches and a very different and enjoyable topics session.

Club president Marie Lynes warmly welcomed everybody present and wished everyone a happy and healthy new year. Michael Cronin chaired the meeting in his role as toastmaster for the evening.

Mary Moynahan and Claire O'Connell
at our first meeting of 2016

Ray Ryan was the first speaker on the night with a very informative speech about the PROBUS organisation. He clearly explained what the organisation is about and how there are many clubs both internationally and in Ireland of which there are two in the town of Mallow. Later in the meeting Ray was given a very helpful evaluation by Sean Corcoran.

The second speaker of the evening Jerry O’Callaghan enthralled all those present with his storytelling skills. He told the story about his father’s brother who died and was buried in Egypt during World War 1. He thanked the family member who researched the story of his nearly forgotten uncle and how 89 years later they travelled to his grave. It was a very descriptive and emotional story and very well told. Ann Buckley his evaluator thanked him sincerely for sharing his story.

Claire O’Connell then followed with a speech entitled “Tell me why I don’t like Monday’s”. She explained the meaning and origin of the Boomtown Rats song and how it had a very dark side which many people did not know about. Even though the song is over 35 years old it still applies as much today regarding the availability of guns in the United States today. Mary Moynihan gave Claire a very motivating evaluation.

The all seeing eye of Timekeeper, Noel O'Connor

The final speech of the evening was given by Pat Sexton. He gave a very educational and helpful speech on how members can come up with a theme for a speech which will be of great benefit to the members during 2016 and this was acknowledged by his evaluator Marie Lynes.

Following the tea break Brendan Foley took charge of the Topics Session. The topics he asked members to speak on were all quotations from films which included “to infinity and beyond” and “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get”.

While the topics were challenging there was great responses with loads of humour. 

The clubs next meeting will take place on Thursday 21^st January. The meeting will commence at 8pm in the Hibernian Hotel Mallow. Guests are always most welcome and will not be asked to speak. For more information on toastmasters check us out on our website www.speakeasytoastmasters .com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.