Irish Debating – Gael Linn Report

Our Irish Debating Team took part in Comórtas Díospóireachta an Phiarsaigh, run by Gael Linn, reaching the second round. The team consisted of captain Jack Burke, Oisín Tiernan, Ben Kieran-Glennon (all 6th Year) and Nicholas Cronnelly (5th Year), with three boys speaking in each round.

Under the guidance of Ms. O’Connor and Mr. Orrock, the boys worked hard to prepare their speeches in the week leading up to each round. The challenge of Irish debating is twofold: Marks are awarded not only for the quality of argumentation, but also for the quality of Irish. Four teams take part in each round, two proposing the motion and two opposing. Two teams progress to the next round from each debate.

In the first round, which took place on November 17, the Team proposed the motion “Ba cheart don Ríocht Aontaithe fáil réidh leis an Teaglach Ríoga” (The UK should get rid of the Royal Family). They won the debate, qualifying for the next round.

The second round took place on February 8th. The boys proposed the motion, “Is aoibhninn beatha an phinsinéara in Eirinn” (The life of the pensioner in Ireland is great). Unfortunately, after a close debate, we lost out to Alexandra College and Loreto Dalkey.

We thank Ms. O’Connor and Mr. Orrock for their hard work in preparing the team, at early-morning and after-school sessions.