Thurles school reach national debating competition final

Students from Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, have made it through to the Concern Debates final.

They will go head-to-head with Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher in Limerick, at Dublin’s Helix Theatre on May 2. 

 They are the last two out of the 177 teams that took part in the contest this year, all hoping to become the country’s top debaters. 

The Ursuline Secondary School team - Jane Collins, Fiona Maher, Kate Fitzgerald and Nora Kilrane - debated against Coláiste Chiaráin, Roscommon, at the semi-final event held at the Camden Court Hotel on Camden Street Lower in Dublin City on Thursday, April 11. 

Caption: Concern Debates finalists from Ursuline Secondary School, Tipperary Jane Collins, Fiona Maher, Kate Fitzgerald and Nora Kilrane after they won their semi final in Dublin. 

Hazelwood College – Aisling O'Connor, Amy O'Gorman, Regina Burke, and Lucy O'Gorman – also successfully opposed the same motion against CBS Mullingar, Westmeath.

The Concern Debate's final motion is, “Achieving world peace is the defining task of the 21st century.”

 Concern Debates is marking its 40th anniversary this year. The competition began in 1984 to encourage further debating about global issues among young people. 

Well-known past participants of the competition include Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe and well-known television broadcasters Claire Byrne and Karen Koster.

Concern’s Head of Active Citizenship, Lauren Wright, praised the debating finalists and the hundreds of other students who took part this year.

“The future is in excellent hands with these young debaters.

“We are very proud of all them and applaud their efforts.

“It is our hope that they become active global citizens and lifelong advocates for creating a better world for everyone,” said Ms Wright.

Anyone interested in attending the final or who would like their school to take part in next year’s competition is asked to ring 01 417 7733 or email [email protected].