Competitive Debating

The L&H provide a number of opportunities for student speakers to get involved in debating, within both University and external competitions. 

The L&H enter participants into the following debating competitions: 

The Irish Times Debating Competition
The Irish Times is the largest and most prestigious prepared debating competition in Ireland, as well as the longest running, having come into existence in the 1960s. 
In this competition speakers speak in teams of two, with four teams on each side of the motion in the first round. The speakers debate a topic or motion which is given to them approximately two weeks before the round takes place. They are given their position in the debate and the side they are speaking on, and then may prepare their speeches prior to the round. 

Coaching will be available to inexperienced speakers who are interested in taking part in the competition, but are unsure as to how to structure a speech, unsure as to the motion given, or as to the formalities of how a debate works. 
 

The L&H have the largest number of total wins and individual wins in The Irish Time. 

Inter-Varsity Debating Competitions

The society sends teams to a number of inter-varsity competitions throughout the year. These competitions, referred to as IVs, take place over the course of a weekend, with speakers participating in 5 debates over two days, followed by the top teams progressing to the knockout stages. In this format speakers are given the motion only 15 minutes before the debate begins - which may sound intimidating, but is actually exhilarating and fun (as everyone's in the same boat!). 

These competitions offer a great chance to go away, similar to a class trip, with socials on the Friday and Saturday evenings, as well as offering a chance to see great places, a bonding experience with other members of the society, and a great way to make new friends.

 

The society has sent teams to Cork, Galway, and further afield to London, Edinburgh and Paris in previous years, and promises the same this year! 

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Previously competed in:

The Irish Mace 

 

The Irish Mace is a more recently established prepared debating competition, which is run in conjunction with the English Speaking Union in the United Kingdom. Winners of the Irish Mace go on to represent Ireland in the International Mace Final, an extremely prestigious honour for any speaker. This competition follows a similar format to the Irish Times, with speakers speaking in teams of two, but with only two teams on each side. In the first round speakers are given the motion and prepare both sides, though in later rounds teams are given their position and motion. Motions, once again, are released approximately a fortnight before the round. A workshop will be given as to the format of this competition, and coaching will be provided, offering speakers help with the presentation and content of their speeches, with details to follow closer to the time.