It’s double delight for Speakeasy at international finals

It is a bit like waiting for a bus to come ... and then two buses arrive together.

For years, Speakeasy Toastmasters have longed for a top place on the winners’ podium at the District Spring Conference in one or the other of the big competitions - the International Speech Contest or the Speech Evaluation Contest. Last weekend at the District 71 Spring Conference in Cork, the unbelievable double was achieved.

The packed attendance at the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs rose to applaud the achievements of two Speakeasy members. In the International Speech Contest, Deirdre Linehan engaged in verbal jousting with nine of the most accomplished speakers in Ireland and the United Kingdom. It was a thoroughly fascinating contest with very little deviation in quality between ten brilliant speeches.

However, Deirdre, representing Fáilte and Speakeasy Toastmasters lifted the roof off the convention centre with her rendition of ‘DOB’s Army’ and, in so doing, lifted the ultimate prize. She becomes only the second Cork representative in the 40 years of the International Speech Contest to win the award District 71 title. Déirdre will now go forward to represent Ireland and the UK in the World Semi-Finals in Chicago in August.

Mallow Toastmasters send her their very best wishes as she strives to achieve the title of World Champion Public Speaker.

In the Speech Evaluation Contest, Pat Sexton emerged victorious at the fourth time of asking. Facing stiff opposition from competitors from Cork, Tipperary, Dublin, Glasgow and the North of England, Pat’s critique of Laura Bruce’s ‘Give up the house cleaning’ won over the minds and perhaps the hearts of the adjudicators, and he becomes the only Cork representative ever to win this elusive title.

Victories of this magnitude are extremely rare yet at each and every Speakeasy Toastmasters meeting, important ‘ little victories’ happen. It could be the guest who answers a topic, or the member presenting an ‘ice-breaker’ speech, or even acting as the chairperson of the meeting. It is everyone who takes part and gives it their best shot.

With that in mind, ST invite you to attend their next meeting in the Hibernian Hotel on Thursday, May 17 commencing at 8pm. Guests are always welcome and are not obliged to speak unless they wish to do so. The Rolling Stones may be playing in Croke Park but ST really can give you satisfaction.