Purpose

The University of Limerick Debating Union is a society open to the students and staff of the university to engage in debate on topical issues and participates in student inter-varsity debating competitions.

Crest and motto

The Debating Union moto is Verbum Sapis Sapienti. Image File history File links DEBCRESTwiki. ...

Predecessors

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

The John Holland Theatrical Society

The Society was founded in October 1985 in what was then National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick. 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 settled on refers to the lecture theatre on Block D Level 1 on the main building of the University of Limerick where the society held its regular meetings, named after John Philip Holland. (Although the initial Meeting Room was C1-056). 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. A National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) was a category of higher education institution established in Ireland to provide higher level technical education above the standard of the then established Regional Technical College system but at university level. ... For other uses, see Limerick (disambiguation). ... The University of Limerick (UL) was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989. ... John Philip Holland (Irish: Seán Ó Maolchalann) (24 February 1841–12 August 1914) was an engineer who developed the first submarine accepted by the U.S. Navy (though not the first American submarine, see American Civil War submarines, and the earlier Nautilus and Turtle) and the first ever Royal Navy...

The Literary and Philosophical Society

The John Holland Theatrical became the "Lit & Phil" in 1988 when the Society's activities had moved to a larger venue. This society retained the John Holland's character and combined formal debating with dramatic and comedic activity.

The Parliamentary Debating Society

Formed in 1991 to prioritise competitive debate. 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. The Irish Times Debating Final of 1992-93 was hosted co-operatively between the societies but there remained substantial differences in the aims of the two organisations.

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.

Successes

• 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
• Irish Times
  • Séamus Doran and Pádraic Ó Halloran were the first team representing the University to win the Irish Times Final 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).
• 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.
  • 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. Two UL teams competed (Tadhg O'Shea and Julian Moore), (Gavin Ward and Eoin O'Culain), reaching the semi-finals and quarter-finals respectively.
  • Mark Dowling (2001) and Colm Flynn (1999 and 2005) have served as Grand Final Judges at the Championships.

The Oxford Union Society, commonly referred to simply as the Oxford Union, is a private debating society in the city of Oxford, England, whose membership is drawn primarily but not exclusively from the University of Oxford. ... The University of Toronto (U of T) is a public research university in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... The University of Melbourne, is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. ... The Ateneo de Manila University (also called Ateneo de Manila or simply the Ateneo) is a private university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. ... Stellenbosch University (Afrikaans: Universiteit van Stellenbosch) is an internationally recognised university which is situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. ... The University of Toronto (U of T) is a public research university in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Master of Theology (MTh) Dentistry Nursing Affiliations Russell Group Universitas 21 Website http://www. ... The University of Toronto (U of T) is a public research university in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... The University of Sydney, established in Sydney in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia. ... University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin - more commonly University College Dublin (UCD) - is Irelands largest university, with over 20,000 students. ... For other institutions named Trinity College, see Trinity College. ... The European Universities Debating Championship (colloquially known as Euros or Europeans) is a regional equivalent to the World Universities Debating Championship (Worlds) held in British Parliamentary style. ... Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university in the Netherlands, located in Rotterdam. ... Nickname: Motto: Sterker door strijd (Stronger through Struggle) Location of Rotterdam Coordinates: , Country Province Government  - Mayor Ivo Opstelten  - Aldermen Jeannette Baljeu Hamit Karakus Orhan Kaya Lucas Bolsius Jantine Kriens Dominic Schrijer Roelf de Boer Leonard Geluk Area [1]  - Total 319 km² (123. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... Portorož (Portorose in Italian, literally Port of Roses) is a coastal town in Slovenia and one of the countrys largest tourist areas. ... The University of Haifa (אוניברסיטת חיפה) is a university in Haifa, Israel. ...

Structure

The membership elects a committee at the annual general meeting. The highest position is that of Auditor.

Past Auditors

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

2002-03 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:

1993-94 Derek Sheahan

1992-93 Diarmuid Scully

Literary & Philosophical Society:

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. Michael Noonan (Irish: ; born 21 May 1943) is an Irish politician and was Leader of the Opposition and Leader of Fine Gael from February 2001 to June 2002. ... Raphael P. Burke (born September 30, 1943) is a former Fianna Fáil politician. ... A Teachta Dála (Irish for Dáil Deputy, pronounced chock-ta dawla) is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower chamber of the Irish Oireachtas or National Parliament. ... Jim Kemmy (1936-1997) was a socialist politician born in Limerick, Ireland. ... A Member of the European Parliament (English abbreviation MEP)[1] is a member of the European Unions directly-elected legislative body, the European Parliament. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... Derry City Council (Londonderry County Borough Council until 1984) is a district council in County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. ... Edward M. (Ed) Walsh (born 1939) is a former president of the University of Limerick and held that post from its inception as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, Ireland in 1972, through its transformation to a University in 1989 until his retirement in 1998, retaining the title of... Emeritus (IPA pronunciation: or ) is an adjective that is used in the title of a retired professor, bishop or other professional. ... John Connolly (born May 31, 1968, Dublin) is an Irish writer who is best known for his series of novels starring private detective Charlie Parker. ... The Irish Times is Irelands newspaper of record, launched in the late 1850s. ...

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. The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin or more commonly Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, is the only constituent college of the University of Dublin, Irelands oldest university. ... University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin - more commonly University College Dublin (UCD) - is Irelands largest university, with over 20,000 students. ... University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork - or more commonly University College Cork (UCC) - is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland located in Cork City. ...

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 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. Young Cúchulainn (as Sétanta), 1912 illustration by Stephen Reid. ... For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ...

Past Winners and Runner Ups:

• • 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.

Past Winners and Runner Ups:

Honorary Life Members

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).

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. (Councillor Scully's website) The University of Limerick (UL) was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989. ... A students union, student government, or student council is a student organization present at many colleges and universities, often with its own building on the campus, dedicated to social and organizational activities of the student body. ... For other uses, see Limerick (disambiguation). ... A councillor is a member of a council (such as a city council), particularly in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other parts of the Commonwealth. ... A ward is an electoral district used in local politics, most notably in England, Scotland, and Wales, as well as Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and many cities in the United States and the federal district of Washington, DC. Wards are usually named after neighbourhoods... This article is about the year. ... Fine Gael – The United Ireland Party, usually referred to as Fine Gael (IPA: , though often anglicised to ; approximate English translation: Family/Tribe of the Irish, is the second largest political party in the Republic of Ireland with a membership of over 34,000, and is the largest opposition party in...

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

Former Auditor John Maguire is a journalist and film critic for [The Irish Independent][1] newspaper. He also keeps a personal[website][2].

External links

• Debating Union Website
• Colm Flynn's World Debate Website