Tipperary school debating team reaches final of one of Ireland's largest debating contests
Students from Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles in Tipperary and Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher in Limerick will go head-to-head at Dublin’s Helix Theatre on May 2 for the Concern Debates final.
Two school debating teams from Tipperary and Limerick have reached the final of one of Ireland’s largest debating contests.
Students from Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles in Tipperary and Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher in Limerick will go head-to-head at Dublin’s Helix Theatre on May 2 for the Concern Debates final.
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, Co Roscommon at the semi-final event held at the Camden Court Hotel on Camden Street Lower in Dublin city on Thursday, April 11. They successfully opposed the motion, that “the current aid system is ineffective. It’s time to shift the power.”
Hazelwood College – Aisling O'Connor, Amy O'Gorman, Regina Burke, Lucy O'Gorman – also successfully opposed the same motion against CBS Mullingar, Westmeath.
The Concern Debates 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,” she said.
“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.”
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].