Mullingar Toastmasters, or Live at the Apollo

Toastmasters in Ireland host bi-annual competitions, and there were two on October 10 – for the best humorous speech and for table topics. The first round of the competition is at club level and the winners go to area finals.

The standard of our competitors for the humorous speech blurred the lines between a club competition and Live at the Apollo! The first speaker was Brian McLoughlin, who entertained with an agricultural theme about life and relationships. The second speaker was a first time competition entrant, Douglas Raeside, who dressed to impress and, armed with props, had his audience captivated explaining why he hates the Martians.

Third speaker Pat Kenny explained why ‘It really helps when you like your boss’, and the final competitor for the humorous speech was Tom Byrne, who convened the ‘Annual Duck Conference’, reminding all the ducks to follow the rules so they don’t end up in trouble. Tom identified the danger zones, the latest duck scams and said ‘do not eat the bread’.

The winners of the humorous speech who go the next stage of the competition are Pat Kenny, first place, and Brian McLoughlin, second place.

There were five competitors for the table topics competition. table topics is a long-standing Toastmasters tradition intended to help members develop their ability to organise their thoughts quickly and respond to an impromptu question or topic. The topic for the contestants was: ‘If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?’.

Deirdre Bigley wants somewhere with a temperate climate, surrounded by those she loves; Brian McLoughlin would rather “live next door with Alice”; and Douglas Raeside, who moved from Dublin in the last few years, said that he has “turned culchie” and loves Mullingar. Tom Byrne declared that he just wants to be at home with his wife and kids, and Pat Kenny uttered similar sentiments about being happiest with the people he loves.

Thanks to committee member and contest Chair, Philip Howlin, who worked behind the scenes along with other club members who took up roles such as sergeant at arms, timer, chief judges and the rest of the judges, without whom the competition wouldn’t have been possible.

The winners of the table topics are Brian McLoughlin, first place, and Deirdre Bigley, second.

The competition winners, Pat Kenny, Brian McLoughlin and Deirdre Bigley, went on to the area final in Tullamore on Saturday. October 19.

If you think that Toastmasters might be for you, the next meeting is at the Greville Arms Hotel on October 24 (8pm), when members will celebrate 100 years of Toastmasters International. They are always happy to answer questions or queries, so feel free to message their Facebook page or email mullingartoastmasters@gmail.com.