MATHESON JUNIOR DEBATING NATIONAL MACE NATIONAL GRAND FINAL

On Saturday 21st March Blackrock College was host to the Junior Debating National Mace sponsored by Matheson. As this was the National Final it was the Top 36 Speakers from Leinster and Top 20 from Munster, Connaught and Ulster individually. The 96 Speakers, including Blackrock’s own Michael Ryan (2nd Year), Stephen Ryan (3rd Year) and Oisin Ryan (3rd Year), came from schools including Presentation College Cork, Coláiste Iognóid SJ Galway, Belvedere College and Loreto Beaufort.

MOTIONS DEBATED INCLUDED:
‘THIS HOUSE SUPPORTS A BAN ON SKINNY MODELS’
AND
‘THIS HOUSE WOULD BAN PARENTS FROM UPLOADING PHOTOS OF THEIR CHILDREN TO SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITES’

All of our Speakers spoke admirably over the day and Oisin Ryan (3rd Year) was successful in reaching the grand Final making him ONE OF THE TOP SPEAKERS IN IRELAND! Although Castleknock CC would go on to lift the Trophy, he spoke passionately, intelligently and fluently and was deserving of his 6th Place finish overall.

Stephen came 20th and Michael finished 59th.

I would like to thank Ms Caroline Dobbyn and Scott Donohoe (T.Y.) for their organisation of the event; President of the Union, Mr Shane Murphy, SC (Class of 1981) for chairing the Final, as well as John Heavey and Mark Heavey (both TY) and Joshua Kieran-Glennon (6th Year) for helping out on the day; Fintan and the Maintenance Staff, the Catering Staff, and Catherine Duplaa BCL (Convenor of the National Mace).