Toastmasters in Ireland

What a Toastmasters meeting is actually like

Toastmasters is a public speaking and leadership club that runs to the same format worldwide. A meeting lasts about two hours and has three parts. Prepared speeches come first, where two or three members deliver something they have worked on. Then table topics, where anyone in the room can be asked to speak for a minute or two on a subject they have not seen before. Then evaluations, where a member gives structured feedback on each prepared speech.

You are not made to speak on your first visit, and you will not be singled out. Most clubs expect new people to come along two or three times and just watch. Guests attend free. If you do join, membership is typically in the region of 100 to 150 euro a year, which covers international dues and the club's own running costs.

Clubs meet either weekly or twice a month, usually in a hotel function room or a community centre, and usually in the evening. Most Irish clubs run a season from September to May and go quiet over the summer, so if you are looking in July you may be waiting until autumn for the next meeting.

Meeting nights and venues do move, particularly at the start of a season. Check the club's own page before turning up: each name below links to it.