Portarlington Speakers News

Portarlington Speakers breaking the Ice

There were two outstanding icebreakers or first speeches by Aisling Cullen and Evelyn Boland at Portarlington Speakers’ on May 19. Aisling Cullen was off to a fighting start as she gave a captivating talk on Ladies Gaelic Football including the Fight Night promotion in Portarlington on May 2. Under new management this year the Laois Ladies are heading places – hopefully back to repeat their stunning success in 2001 winning the All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship. The Fight Night was the first of its type to be held in Ireland providing much needed funding to the Laois Ladies. Evelyn Boland gave a superb talk on her farming background and how her vocation in education and child development is progressing at Athlone IT. Skilful evaluations of the speeches from Mary Heaney and Mark Bastow followed identifying the strengths displayed.

Under the expert direction of Laois Toastmaster Mary White chairing the meeting it was a relaxed, entertaining evening with plenty of craic. Owen Sweeney provided a fun but challenging topics session. Donal Cahill provided the ultimate test to the speakers’ listening skills and concluding the meeting Carmel Moore skilfully summarised the meeting and gave some useful pointers. Another enjoyable, entertaining and educational meeting that showed that self-development in a friendly environment is time well spent.

Portarlington Speakers will soon be breaking for their summer recess so the next meeting on  June 2 at 7.45pm at the Anvil Inn is the last chance before September to see what the Club is all about. Visitors are always welcome. So if you are concerned about giving talks and presentations before groups, or want to develop your leadership and/or communication skills why not come along and see how the Speakers do things. For more information pop into FaceBook or MeetUp and look us up. Alternatively see www.portarlington.toastmastersclubs.org/