University of Limerick Debating Union

The University of Limerick Debating Union is a society open to the students and staff of UL to engage in debate on topical issues and participate in student inter-varsity debating competitions. The Debating Union motto is "Verbum Satis Sapienti Est".

Predecessors

*The John Holland Theatrical Society
*The Literary and Philosophical Society
*The Parliamentary Debating Society

The John Holland Debating Society

The first student debate in the college took place in the East room of Plassey House a few weeks after the opening of what was then the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick in 1972. One of the first societies set up on Campus in 1972 was the Ubraxion society. However between then and 1985 no society lasted longer than a couple of years often ceasing to exist and being reborn and renamed another year.

The current society traces its roots directly to a society which was founded in October 1985 based in the tutorial room C1056. Between 1985 and 1986 the name of the Society changed on numerous occasions as part of a running joke which saw a new name being adopted every week. The name finally settled on (John Holland Debating Society) refers to the lecture theatre on Block D Level 1 on the main building of the University of Limerick which has become the regular home of the society. At first the Society used a Schools Debating Format with teams of four competing in a league. However this soon gave way to University style debating. Private Members Time was introduced in 1986.

In the early times the society used to meet twice weekly, often during lunch-time. The first intervarsity the society entered was in Galway in 1987 with a team of (Little, Green and Neville Bourke).

The Literary and Philosophical Society

Following the announcement of the elevation of the college to University status the society sought a more prestigious name and so the the John Holland Society became the "Literary and Philosophical" society in 1988 when the Society's activities also moved to a larger venue (Jean Monnet theater). This society retained the John Holland's character and combined formal debating with dramatic and comedic activity.

The Parliamentary Debating Society

The Parliamentary Debating Society was formed in 1991 to provide greater focus on competitive debate. The society initially returned to the roots of Limerick debate by utilising the John Holland Lecture Theatre.

Competition and Collaboration

The "Lit and Phil" and the "Parl Deb" operated separate societies but had some overlap in membership. While it was not uncommon for members from one to turn up at the other to heckle (in a good humoured way) rival speakers the relationship between the two societies was generally good. The Irish Times Debating Final of 1992-93 was hosted co-operatively between the societies. Where there remained substantial differences it was in the aims of the two organisations. The Lit & Phil put greater focus on weekly debates and on entertainment. They mixed house debates with more drama focused elements such as a version of "whose line is it anyway". The society met on Wednesday nights often in front of large crowds in the Jean Monnet theater. The Parl Deb met on Tuesday nights and focused mainly on a less crowd pleasing format of competitive debating. These attracted significantly smaller crowds and the society based itself in the smaller John Holland Theater. This difference in emphasis can be seen in participation in the 1993 World Debating Championships when the smaller society sent 2 teams (Derek Sheahan & John McElligott, Diarmuid Scully & Niamh Lyons) and a judge (Mark Dowling) to the championships while the larger society only sent one team (Matthew Hamilton & Hugh Gallagher).

Formation of the Debating Union

Financial and organisational pressures forced the merger of the Literary and Philosophical and the Parliamentary Debating Societies in the 1994-5 session. At this stage there were also significant overlaps in membership. While the two societies had elected committees and auditors at the end of the 1993-1994 academic year both worked over the summer to finalise details of the merger which took place in the first week of the new academic year. A new name the "University of Limerick Debating Union" was adopted.

tructure

The membership elects a committee at the annual general meeting. The highest position is that of Auditor. With the exception of vice-auditor, which is appointed by the auditor, all other positions are elected by the membership. While many debating societies use a mayoral style chain to indicate the Auditor in UL the auditor wears an academic style purple gown. Due to the semester system in UL where students spend semesters away from college on "Co-Op" work experience there is often a change in Auditor, and other committee members, mid way through the year.

Past Auditors

:2008- Emma Kerins:2007-08 Finn McDuffie:2006-07 Oisín Collins (Autumn Semester) Niamh Madigan (Spring Semester):2005-06 Stuart Wallace (Early Autumn Semester) Oisín Collins (Late Autumn and full Spring Semester):2004-05 Judith Lynch (Autumn Semester)Stuart Wallace (Spring Semester):2003-04 Michelle Ni Ghaboid :2002-03 Sarah Carew (Spring Semester)Timmy Hennessy (Autumn Semester) :2001-02 Julian Moore:2000-01 Conor Barry (Autumn Semester) Cait NiChochlain (Spring Semester):1999-00 Michael D. Hourigan:1998-99 Tracey Cooney (Autumn Semester) Colm Linnane (Spring Semester):1997-98 Seamus Ryan:1996-97 Colm Flynn (Autumn Semester) Niamh MacAteer (Spring Semester):1995-96 John McElligott (Autumn Semester) Mark Dowling (Spring Semester):1994-95 Margaret Stronge-Smith

Parliamentary Debating Society::1994-95 John Baird (Summer only).:1993-94 Derek Sheahan:1992-93 Diarmuid Scully

Literary & Philosophical Society::1994-95 ?? (Summer only):1993-94 Matthew Hamilton:1992-93 John Maguire (Michaelmas Term), Raymond Hurley (Hilary & Trinity Terms) :1991-92 Neville Bourke (Michaelmas Term), John Maguire (Hilary & Trinity Terms):1990-91 Donal Waide:1989-90 Neville Bourke:1988-89 Alan O'Donnell

John Holland Theatrical Society:1987-88 Daniel Murphy:1986-87 Stephen MacNamara:1985-86 Ian Cullen

Events

House debates

The Society holds public debates on both serious and light hearted topics. Some of these drew large crowds to see guest speakers, such on the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the 1995 Divorce Referendum. Among those who have spoken at the Society are Catholic values campaigner Nora Bennis, former Irish government Ministers Michael Noonan and Ray Burke, the late TD Jim Kemmy, former MEP Paddy Lane and former Mayor of Derry Richard Dallas. Then University President Dr. Edward M. Walsh (now President Emeritus) delivered a paper to the society on the idea of a modern university - among those who replied was novelist John Connolly, who was then Education Correspondent for the Irish Times.

Annual intervarsity

This competition started life as the "Mini-Worlds" in 1994, introducing a worlds-format tournament at this level when most other competitions used a knockout or straight final format at intervarsity level. The competition slowly grew but as the Worlds style format became more popular it was quickly outgrown by large competitions at Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University College Cork and indeed the format has become the norm for Irish intervarsities. Nevertheless, the social aspect of the competition, and its usefulness as a preparatory tournament to the European Championship meant that Limerick attracted teams from the US, Germany, France, Greece, Scotland and England over the years.

Ciaran Treacy Perpetual Trophy

Ciaran was a student who entered the Campus in 1987. His interests included Basketball, Music and Debating. He was known affectionately by his nicknames "Basketball Billy" and "Trasyballs" or just "Trasy". His life came to a premature end on the 7th of October 1989 when he was killed in an automobile accident - just one day after his 21st Birthday.

To preserve his memory a Perpetual Trophy was inaugurated in his name and awarded to the winner of the society's internal individual speaker competition. The Trophy itself was donated by the Treacy family and contains a miniature of a sculpture of the mythical warrior Cúchulainn (Setanta) - tied to a standing stone with a raven on his shoulder - set on a marble base. The original sculpture, honouring the martyrs of the Easter Uprising of 1916, is called "The Death of Cúchulainn" by Oliver Shepardon and is on display in the General Post Office on O'Connell Street in Dublin. In 1996 it was decided that as with the, Irish Times Debating Competition, past winners would not be eligible to re-enter but would be encouraged to adjudicate the competition.

It replaced the Don Reddin Trophy (Lit & Phil) and the Presidents Prize (Parl Deb) as the main individual speakers competition. Details of the Don Reddin and Presidents Prize are not currently available.

Past Winners and Runner Ups:

YEAR	WINNER	RUNNER UP
2007-08	- Aoife Finnerty	- Diarmuid Healy
2006-07	- Eamon Quinlan	- Oisin Collins
2005-06	- Sarah Carew	- Michael Keary
2004-05	- Shane Moloney	- Eoin Gubbins
2003-04	- John Fitzgibbons	- Shane Moloney
2002-03	- Paddy Buckley	- ???
2001-02	- Grace Lord	- ???
2000-01	- Claire McCarthy	- Grace Lord
1999-00	- Keith Pigott	- Marcus Lynch
1998-99	- Michael D. Hourigan	- Claire McCarthy
1997-98	- Míchael Healy	- Rose Kavanagh
1996-97	- Colm Linnane	- Claire McCarthy
1995-96	- Colm Flynn	- Brian O'Farrell
1994-95	- Padraic O'Halloran	- Colm Flynn
1993-94	- Brian O'Farrell	- Dearbhla Considine
1992-93	- Robert O'Meara	- Lorna Kerin
1991-92	- James Hurley	- John Maguire
1990-91	- Eoin Crowley (1)
1989-90	- Colm O'Gairbhigh	- Diarmuid Scully

**(1) There was no Contest held during the Academic Year 1990-91 but the Auditor Donal Waide gave the Award to Eoin Crowley in recognition of his general contribution to the Society during that year.

Team Debate

The Team competition was traditionally held in Term 1 and has also been called the "O'Mahoney's Debate". The competition has lapsed in recent years, but was reinstated by the society in the Autumn semester of 2007-08. The competition was started in 1995. Unlike the Ciaran Treacy there is no bar on past winners defending their title. It is also the most open of the competitions with all current members and life members eligible for entry. This was originally a Mace format debate, 4 teams per debate and advance notice of motions, held over 2-3 weeks on a knock out basis. However in 1998 this was reviewed and changed to a worlds style debate to give it a more intervarsity feel and allow graduate life members and adjudicators attend.

Past Winners and Runner Ups:

YEAR	WINNER	Individual award
2007-08	- Adrian O'Higgins & Maurice Cotter	- Oisin Collins
2006-07	- n/a	- n/a
2005-06	- n/a	- n/a
2004-05	- Paddy Buckley & Eamonn O'Flynn	- ???
2003-04	- Paddy Buckley & Eamonn O'Flynn	- Julian Moore
2002-03	- Keith Pigott & Michael D. Hourigan	- Paddy Buckley
2001-02	- Keith Pigott & Michael D. Hourigan	- Kate Coughlan
2000-01	- Claire McCarthy & Barry McLoughlin	- Fiona Clandillon
1999-00	- ???	- ???
1998-99	- Colm Linnaine & Claire McCarthy	- Barry McLoughlin
1997-98	- Colm Flynn & Padraic Fox	- Rose Kavanagh
1996-97	- Colm Flynn & Barry McLoughlin	- Claire McCarthy
1995-96	- Keith Pigott & John Mc'Elligott	- Thorsten Becker
1994-95	- Padraig O'Halloran & Colm Leahy	- Barry McLoughlin

Freshers Debate

Prior to the formation of the Debating Union records of the freshers competitions are virtually non-existent. This is primarily because each of the two rival debating societies held several freshers competitions in an effort to encourage freshers to pledge themselves to their society as opposed to the rival. In 1993 alone there were at least 4 separate competitions between the two societies. Under the Debating Union there is only one freshers competition and other speaking needs of freshers are catered for in Workshops away from the pressure of the main session. The Freshers competition is open to all Maiden Speakers (First years, Erasmus, Transfers, Postgrads etc) providing that this is the first year they have debated with a Third Level Institution.

Past Winners and Runner Ups:

YEAR	WINNER
2007-08	- ???
2006-07	- ???
2005-06	- ???
2004-05	- ???
2003-04	- ???
2002-03	- ???
2001-02	- ???
2000-01	- Lynn Fitzsimons
1999-00	- ???
1998-99	- Ken McDonagh
1997-98	- Rose Kavanagh
1996-97	- Caroline Timmons
1995-96	- Thorsten Becker
1994-95	- Barry Mc'Loughlin

Honorary Life Members

The society had 3 types of membership. Ordinary membership is open to all current students of the University of Limerick. All past Auditors who hold office for at least one semester are "Life Members" of the Union. In addition the society can vote to award Honorary Life Membership to any individual.

Dr Edward Walsh President of University from its foundation in 1972 to 1998. In recognition of a number of years of both moral and financial support, including making attendance possible at two World Championships, as well as the magnificent work he has done for the University in general.

Brian O'Farrell For distinguished service to the Society, notably for being the first UL debater to reach the Irish Times Final. Michael Ryan For immense assistance to UL's development in societies, notably in debating and in particular the achievement of the highest Irish participation at Melbourne Worlds. Anthony Louden-Connolly For incredibly long and diverse participation in the debating world in the British Isles, on the occasion of his visit in late 1995. Niamh Lyons In recognition of being a member of the first UL team to "break" at the Worlds and of the first UL team in the semi-final of the Irish Times Competition. Padraig O'Halloran In recognition of his achievement of winning the Irish Times Team Debate (National Championships) in 1997 (teammate Seamus Doran). Padraig was also individual runner up in the competition in 1995. Séamus Doran In recognition of his achievement of winning the Irish Times Team Debate (National Championships) in 1997 (teammate Padraig O'Halloran).

uccesses

* World Championships
** Two Limerick teams have reached the knock out stages of the World Championships, both progressing to the Octo-Finals. Diarmuid Scully & Niamh Lyons did so at the Oxford Union in 1992 and Keith Pigott & Michael D. Hourigan at University of Toronto in 2002.
** Three Limerick judges have judged the knock out rounds. Mike Ryan (Octo-final University of Melbourne 1993) Colm O'Cinneide (Semi-final Ateneo de Manila University 1999) and Colm Flynn (Deputy-Chief Adjudicator and Grand Final Judge, Stellenbosch University 2003, ESL Final and Main Qtr Final Judge University of Toronto in 2002).
** Colm Flynn was Chair of Worlds Council at the 2001 University of Glasgow and 2002 University of Toronto tournaments. He was also Registrar of council at the 2000 tournament in University of Sydney. He was the recipient of the Order of Distinction award at the 2006 World Debating Championships held in University College Dublin. In 2008 he was made an emeritus member of the World Debating Council.
* Irish Times
** Séamus Doran and Pádraic Ó Halloran were the first team representing the University to win the Irish Times Debate at Trinity College, Dublin in 1997.
** Pádraic Ó Halloran was also individual runner up in 1995 as was Brian O'Farrell in 1994.
** Cathal Kelly was the first Limerick speaker to reach the semi-final round, as an individual speaker (circa 1989).
** The society hosted the 1993 Irish Times Final but, in spite of applying on numerous occaisions, the final has not returned to Limerick since then.
* European Universities Debating Championship
** One Limerick team (Ken McDonagh and David Keary) reached the semi-final of the 1999 tournament at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands and the other team (Michael D. Hourigan and Caroline Timmons) reached the quarter-final.
** At 2002 Europeans in Haifa again one Limerick team (Tadhg O'Shea and Julian Moore) reached the semi finals while another (Gavin Ward and Eoin O'Culain) reached the quarter-finals.
** Mark Dowling (2001) and Colm Flynn (1999 and 2005) have served as Grand Final Judges at the Championships.
** The Debating Union submitted a bid at the 2001 Championships in Portorož, Slovenia to host the 2002 event but the Europeans Council chose University of Haifa, Israel to host.
* Other noteable achievements
** Keith Pigott was the best speaker in the Oxford IV final of 2000.
** Keith Pigott & Paddy Buckley won the Cork Invitational IV in 2005
** Colm Flynn has acted as chief adjudicator at a number of external IVs including Oxford 2002 and Cork 2001 and Deputy Chief Adjudicator at Cambridge 2002 and WUPID (World Universities Peace Invitational Debate) 2007.
** Seamus Doran was convenor of the Irish Times in 1999
** The society won UL society of the year in 1996 and 2002
** Keith Pigott & Mike Hourigan jointly won the best society individual award in 2001 for their achievements as a debating team that year
** The society won UL 1996 Society event of the year for it's "Irish Divorce Referendum Debate" which was broadcast by NBC in the United States.

Notable alumni

Diarmuid Scully followed his term as Parliamentary Debating Society Auditor with a term as President of University of Limerick Students Union. He became a Limerick City Councillor for Ward 3 in 1999, representing the Fine Gael party. He sought his party's backing for the 2005 term as Mayor. An internal dispute arose which led to Councillor Scully becoming Mayor in July 2005 with the support of other non-Fine Gael councillors. [http://www.diarmuidscully.com (Councillor Scully's website)]

Laura Ryan is a television news journalist for TV3 in Ireland.

Former Auditor John Maguire is a journalist and film critic for The Sunday Business Post newspaper. He also keeps a personal [website] [http://maguiresmovies.blogspot.com/] .

External links

* [http://www.csn.ul.ie/~debates/ Debating Union Website]
* [http://flynn.debating.net/colmmain.htm Colm Flynn's World Debate Website]