A brilliant contest night took place last Tuesday night for The Galtees Toastmasters and by the time you read this, the two winners and two runners up will have represented the club in the area final and may just be heading towards the division final, which will be taking place on Sunday 20th - however, I’m getting a little ahead of myself!

There were 4 contestants for the humorous speech contest: Máire Corbett, with 'A Fairytale of New York', in which she told us about her friend who thought she had a suitcase full of new shoes, but discovered it was full of tea towels, travel mugs and lollipops, in a case of mistaken cases!

Brian O’Farrell was up next and had us all in stiches telling us about preparing for a university reunion, in an aptly named speech called 'Reunions'. Mary Meany told us about the trials and tribulations of learning to drive, in a hilarious speech called 'The Coffin on Wheels'.

'Garden Magic' was Ann Lyons's speech - we though Ann was going to regale us with her renowned love of gardens, but this turned out to be a tongue-in-cheek tale of her husband's attempts to grow something else! This really funny speech from Ann came out the worthy winner, with Brian O’Farrell coming second. Both Ann and Brian should then go forward to the area final on October 15th in Fermoy. However, as Brian is a dual member of The Galtees and Fermoy clubs, and last week won the Fermoy contest, he can’t compete for two clubs. As Mary Meaney came third she takes Brian's place and so, by the time you read this, Ann and Mary will have flown the humorous speech flag for The Galtees. Good luck to both.

Following our tea break the table topics contest took place. There were also 4 contestants in this contest: Conor O’Brien, Mary Meaney, Máire Corbett and Ann Lyons. All four replied to the same topic, but none of them heard the response of any of the others until after they had spoken. The Topic given was ‘Have you embraced digital technology?'. Replies varied hugely and it is always interesting to hear the different takes people have on the same topic. The winner in this contest was Máire Corbett, with Ann Lyons runner up and they will have gone forward to the area final on Tuesday night.

The Division A final takes place on Sunday next in the Trident Hotel Kinsale at 1.30pm. Who knows? Any of the four representatives from The Galtees' might be representing Area 17 there!

Our contest chair at the club final was Eamonn Rea and chief judge was Michael Sheehan from Fermoy. Huge thanks to our guests from the other clubs in the area who came to assist in the judging, timekeeping etc. John Sherlock had fantastic topics to keep us primed and ready to practice our impromptu speaking skills. Peter Langley put huge work into organising the contests, getting judges and competitors organised, buying prizes etc. Thanks to all!

Our next regular meeting takes place on Tuesday 22nd at The Firgrove Hotel at 8pm and here, one of our newest members will give her 'icebreaker speech', the name given to the first speech a member gives in the club. This is a very supportive, friendly environment in which to start to develop and hone speaking skills and is a wonderfully special event both for the member and for the club. For more information, email us on thegaltees@gmail.com or call PRO Máire Corbett 086-8359370.

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