Irish Times Debate Explained

The Irish Times National Debating Championship is a debating competition for students in higher education in Ireland. It has been run since 1960, sponsored by The Irish Times. While most participants represent institutions in the Republic of Ireland, institutions in Northern Ireland are also eligible.

History

The Union of Students in Ireland approached The Irish Times in 1960 to secure sponsorship for an Irish equivalent of the Observer Mace,[1] a debating competition started in Britain in 1954. The "Debating Union of Ireland" was formed for a time,[1] but later The Irish Times would appoint a student convenor each year, often a previous year's winner.[1] Until the 1970s, the best teams and individual went on to compete in the final of the Observer Mace.[2] (The Mace no longer has an individual competition.)

In 1979, Gary Holbrook of Metropolitan State College of Denver was on sabbatical at Trinity College Dublin and was impressed with the debate.[3] In 1980, he persuaded Coors Brewers to sponsor a debate tour of U.S. colleges for the winning team and individual speakers.[3] The Irish were struck there by the very different approach of American debaters.[4] Holbrook subsequently organised "Friends of the Irish Debate",[5] sponsored by The Irish Times and Aer Lingus, to make the tour annual.[1] The tour is now organised by the U.S. National Parliamentary Debate Association.

In 2010, a special celebration marked the debate's 50th anniversary.

Format

The competition is generally considered the most prestigious in Ireland, due in part to the additional media attention provided by its sponsor, but also the status of some of the former winners, and the US tour which forms part of the prize. Running between November and February, it operates on a knockout basis, with the initial entrants (usually between 150 and 170 teams) being whittled down over successive rounds, culminating in a Grand Final with four teams and four individuals competing for team honours (The Demosthenes Trophy) and an individual prize (The Christina Murphy Memorial Trophy).

The format of the competition is now unique in third-level debating, combining team and individual roles. The first round consists solely of team entrants, from which both teams and individuals progress, thus creating subsequent rounds featuring both. Individuals may be selected from a team at any stage of the competition, including to win the competition at the final stage. The winning individual cannot be selected from the winning team, though this restriction was not observed in the 1972 competition, where Donal Deeny took both prizes.[2] In that year, the judges nominated Kathleen Boyle to progress to the Observer Mace individual competition.[2]

The only other competition to adopt the same format is the All-Ireland Schools' Debating Competition.[6]

Winners

By year

YearTeam
Society
Team
Speaker 1
Team
Speaker 2
Individual
Society
Individual
Speaker
1960Aidan Browne Neville Keery
1961Hallam Johnston Jack Daniels Peter Donnelly
1962John Murtagh Michael Egan TCD Hist Ian Blake
1963UCD L&H Desmond King
1964UCD L&H Patrick Cosgrave Anthony Clare King's Inns Terry McMahon
1965TCD Hist David McConnell Cian Ó hÉigeartaigh Eamonn McCann
1966TCD Hist David McConnell Cian Ó hÉigeartaigh UCD L&H Esmond Smyth
1967Anthony J. Adolph King's Inns Kevin O'Higgins
1968UCD L&H Roddy Buckley UCD L&H Henry Kelly
1969QUB Brendan Keenan UCC Philosoph Anthony J. Adolph
1970UCD L&H Neal Clarke Donal O'Riain UCD L&H Adrian Hardiman
1971TCD Hist Gregory Murphy DIT Bolton Street Marian Finucane
1972TCD Hist Frank Bannister TCD Hist
(St Mary's, Belfast)
Donnell Deeny
(Kathleen Boyle)
1973QUB Billy McRory Jimmy Hughes UCD L&H Adrian Hardiman
1974TCD Hist David O'Sullivan James Connolly Alex Lowry
1975NUU Michael Hughes King's Inns
1976UCD L&H Paul Gill Deirdre Murphy
1977Maynooth Patrick Hennessy Gerry Maher UCD L&H Patrick Healy
1978 UCD Law Soc King's Inns Turlough O'Donnell
1979UCD Law Soc Conor Gearty John O'Donnell UCD L&H Maurice Biggar
1980UCD L&H Maurice Biggar Eugene McCague King's Inns Brian Havel
1981UCD L&H TCD Hist Sean Moran
1982TCD Phil Michael Byrne Gerry Foley UCC Philosoph Liam Plant
1983Eoin O'Maoileoin Damian Crawford TCD Hist Bill Maguire
1984TCD Hist Eoin McCullough UCD L&H Pat Whyms
1985UCC Philosoph Brian Hassett TCD Hist Gideon Taylor
1986TCD Phil UCG Lit & Deb Brendan Wilkins
1987TCD Hist Aidan Kane Paul Gavin UCG Lit & Deb Conor Bowman
1988UCC Philosoph Adrian Hunt Tim Murphy UCC Philosoph Robert Plant
1989King's Inns Maeve Collins Pat Twomey UCD Law Soc Julian Clare
1990UCC Philosoph Brendan Lenihan Don O'Sullivan Tom Clonan
1991King's Inns Tim O'Leary Pat Treacy UCD L&H Barra Faughnan
1992UCD L&H Johanna Farrelly Pat O'Keeffe UCD Law Soc Cian Ferriter
1993[7] TCD Hist Brendan Foley Gavin Titley UCC Philosoph Kieran Healy
1994[8] UCD L&H Marcus Dowling King's Inns Bernard Dunleavy
1995[9] UCC Philosoph Alan Roberts Diarmuid Conway UCC Philosoph Gerry Hyde
1996[10] King's Inns Helen Boyle TCD Hist Douglas Clarke
1997[11] UL Debating Union Seamus Doran Padraic O'Halloran Matthew McCabe
1998[12] UCC Philosoph Muireann Ní Chinnéide Elizabeth Barrett TCD Hist Paul Gleeson
1999[13] UCD L&H Bernadette Quigley King's Inns Rossa Fanning
2000[14] King's Inns Michael Deasy SADSI Louise Rouse
2001[15] TCD Hist Bríd McGrath Yvonne Campbell TCD Hist Aoife Titley
2002[16] TCD Hist Louie Mooney Brendan Kelly UCC Philosoph Conor Buckley
2003[17] UCD L&H Leo Mulrooney Colm Coyne TCD Hist Alison McIntyre
2004[18] Ian Kehoe Michael Moriarty King's Inns Paul Brady
2005[19] King's Inns David Whelan Sam Collins UCD L&H Frank Kennedy
2006[20] King's Inns Barry Glynn Mark Murphy UCC Philosoph Diarmuid Early
2007[21] TCD Hist David Boughton Ciaran Denny King's Inns David Quinn
2008[22] TCD Hist Christopher Kissane David Kenny UCD L&H Stephen Boyle
2009[23] TCD Hist John Gallagher Andrea Mulligan UCD L&H Jeremy Kinsella
2010[24] TCD Hist Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin Niall Sherry Sean O'Quigley
2011King's Inns Lorcan Price Áine Hartigan TCD Law Soc Mark Thuillier
2012Eoin Kelleher Elizabeth Ahern-Flynn UCD Med Soc Michael Conroy
2013[25] Liam Brophy John Engle TCD Hist Kate Brady
2014SADSI Dearbhla O'Gorman Kieran O'Sullivan UCD Med Soc William Courtney
2015TCD Phil Rónán O'Connor Hugh Guidera UCD L&H Eoin MacLachlan
2016SADSI Ross O'Mahony Aaron Vickery UCD L&H Clíodhna Ní Chéileachair
2017UCD Law Aisling Tully Dara Keenan SADSILeah Morgan
2018UCD Law Cian Leahy Aodhán Peelo UCD L&H Amy Crean
2019[26] TCD Hist Ronan Daly Daniel Gilligan King's Inns Kevin Roche
2020[27] TCD Phil Eoghan Quinn Aislinn Carty UCD L&H Rachael Mullally
2021[28] MaynoothRí AnumuduChikemka Abuchi-OgbondaTCD HistGabrielle Fullam
2022[29] SADSI Ross Merriman Conor White UCD Law Bevin Armstrong
2023[30] SADSI Ailbhe Noonan Gavin Dowd MTU Debating Society Oliver McKenna
2024[31] King's InnsCiara McLoughlin Ceara Tonna-Barthet SADSI Clíodhna McHugh

By society

Society University Team wins Individual wins
College Historical Society (Hist) 15 11
Literary and Historical Society (L&H) University College Dublin12 15
9 10
UCC Philosophical Society (Philosoph)6 7
Literary and Scientific Society (Literific)3 1
University Philosophical Society (Phil) Trinity College, Dublin 4 0
University College Dublin 3 3
Solicitors' Apprentice Debating Society of Ireland 3 4
Literary and Debating Society (Lit & Deb) 1 2
1 1
1 1
1 1
1 0
1 0
1 0
1 0
0 1
0 1
0 1
0 2

Notable participants

Many winners have gone on to have successful careers in law. Former winners in the legal field include Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ireland, Donal O'Donnell, Supreme Court judge, Adrian Hardiman, former Managing Partner and Chairman of Arthur Cox (law firm), Eugene McCague, High Court of Ireland judges David Holland (judge) and Cian Ferriter, Senior Counsels Paul Anthony McDermott, Rossa Fanning, John O'Donnell, Dermot Gleeson,[32] Aidan Browne,[32] and Gregory Murphy,[32] King's Counsel at Doughty Street Chambers, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, professors Conor Gearty, Kieran Healy and Charles Lysaght, and Circuit Court judges Esmond Smyth, Kevin O'Higgins,[32] and Brian Curtin. James Connolly, winner in 1974, was Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Ireland and recently chair of public inquiries in Dublin.

David O'Sullivan, winner in 1974, became secretary general to the President of the European Commission. Maeve Collins, winner in 1989, is a former Irish Ambassador to Vietnam and now a Director General within the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs. Neville Keery, 1960 winner, was a member of the 12th Seanad, and later Head of Libraries of the European Commission.[33]

Other well-known former winners include broadcasters Anthony Clare, Henry Kelly, Derek Davis, Cian Ó hÉigeartaigh,[32] and Marian Finucane; comedian Dara Ó Briain; and writers Eamonn McCann, Gerry Stembridge, Kevin Cahill.The losing finalists in 1966 included future Presidents Mary Robinson and Michael D. Higgins.[34] Future Tánaiste Mary Harney[1] and Minister Mary Hanafin[35] also appeared as finalists.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Conquerors of the "bear pit" . Murphy . Christina . 31 January 1992 . . 9 . 2009-04-18 .
  2. News: Finding the missing debaters . Murphy . Christina . 14 February 1992 . . 28 . 2009-04-18.
  3. News: Debate winners invited to US . 10 March 1980 . . 13 . 2009-04-19.
  4. News: Dazzling with Blarney . Murphy . Christina . 18 December 1980 . . 10 . 2009-04-19.
  5. News: Fourth estate under scrutiny . 31 January 1992 . . 9 . 2009-04-18 .
  6. Web site: O'Neill. Liam. Convenor. 24 April 2011.
  7. News: TCD wins student debate . 6 February 1993 . 4 . The Irish Times .
  8. News: L & H wins final of debate competition . 28 February 1994 . The Irish Times . 6 .
  9. News: Victory by the Lee . John . Connolly . John Connolly (author) . 28 February 1995 . The Irish Times . 4, E&L .
  10. News: Presenting future stars? . 20 February 1996 . The Irish Times .
  11. News: Limerick University makes its debut win in debate final . 12 February 1997 . The Irish Times .
  12. News: Team from UCC wins 'Irish Times' debate . 20 February 1998 . 10 . The Irish Times .
  13. News: Dublin dominates 'Irish Times' debate . 2 February 1999 . The Irish Times .
  14. News: Kings' Inns, Solicitors of Ireland take honours . Paul . Taney . 26 February 2000 . The Irish Times .
  15. News: SF a long way from coalition – McGuinness . Eithne . Donnellan . 24 February 2001 . The Irish Times .
  16. News: No debate about class of winners . Janet . Stafford . 26 February 2002 . The Irish Times .
  17. News: UCD team win Irish Times debating trophy . Frank . McNally . 22 February 2003 . The Irish Times .
  18. News: McGarry . Patsy . Hosts Dublin City University win 'Irish Times' debating final . 2 February 2004 . The Irish Times .
  19. News: King's Inns the victors in 'Irish Times' debate . Daniel . McConnell . 3 March 2005 . The Irish Times .
  20. News: King's Inns team wins 'Irish Times' debate competition . Lorna . Siggins . 23 February 2006 . The Irish Times .
  21. Web site: Hist wins Irish Times debate . . 1 February 2007 . 2007-04-06.
  22. News: Trinity students win team award . The Irish Times . 1 March 2008 .
  23. News: TCD Historical Soc takes team award . Kathryn . Hayes . 23 February 2009 . The Irish Times .
  24. News: 'Irish Times' Debate: Fianna Fáil's role in Ireland under discussion . Fiona . McCann . 20 February 2010 . The Irish Times .
  25. News: Gerry . Moriarty . TCD Bram Stoker Club wins 'Irish Times' Debate in Queen's . 23 February 2013 . The Irish Times.
  26. Web site: Trinity students top at The Irish Times Debate grand final . 2024-05-31 . The Irish Times . en.
  27. Web site: Trinity students crowned team champions of 60th Irish Times Debate . 2024-05-31 . The Irish Times . en.
  28. Web site: Maynooth University and TCD speaker win Irish Times Debate final awards . 2024-05-31 . The Irish Times . en.
  29. Web site: The Irish Times Debate 2022 Final . 2024-05-31 . The Irish Times . en.
  30. Web site: Irish Times Debate final: Blackhall Place students crowned team champions . 2024-05-31 . The Irish Times . en.
  31. Web site: Legal students crowned winners of the Irish Times Debate final . 2024-05-31 . The Irish Times . en.
  32. News: Where are they now? . 31 January 1992 . . 9 . 2009-04-18 .
  33. Keery . Neville . 1 December 1997 . The Challenge of Openness as European Union Information goes Electronic . First Monday . . . 2 . 12 . 2009-04-18.
  34. News: Momentous occasion for future president . McTiernan . Anthea . 31 January 1992 . . 9 . 2009-04-18 .
  35. News: Where the sharpest pit their wits. Holmquist. Kate. 19 February 2010 . The Irish Times. 21 February 2010.