Four out of 12 total finalists in the grand final of the Irish Times debating competition this Friday will be representing Trinity societies.
Tom Francis and Mary Woods of the College Historical Society (the Hist) will compete as individual speakers, with Matilda Brewe and Annika Ramani of the University Philosophical Society (the Phil) competing for the team title.
Speaking to Trinity News, Francis, who is auditor of the Hist, said he was “super excited” ahead of the final.
“We had a team and an individual in the final last year and Athena [Wu] came runner-up, which was really impressive, but hopefully we do even better this year.”
Francis denied there being an especial rivalry between himself and Ramani, herself president of the Phil, as the individual and team title are judged independently anyway.
“They’re a really good team, I watched their semifinal and they were fantastic so I think they’ve got a good shot. I really hope all the Trinity teams do fantastically.”
Ramani said: “We’re extremely honoured to have made it to the final and very excited to speak in Belfast this Friday.”
“Although we’re nervous, we love this competition and look forward to the final.”
One pair and one individual speaker were selected to progress from four semi-finals of 12 throughout January and February.
Mary Woods was the first to go through to the final, speaking in favour of the motion “this house believes that communities in Northern Ireland should not forgive and forget”.
Speaking to Trinity News, Woods said: “It’s very exciting. Especially as a fourth year, it’s really cool that what will probably be my last debate is going to be the final.”
“It’s one of the competitions the older former members get really excited about and it’s amazing to have their support in terms of advice and enthusiasm and cheering you on.”
Francis was next to secure a place in the final, speaking in favour of the motion “this house believes that the best government is that which governs least”.
Brewe, who reached the final as an individual speaker last year, and Ramani progressed from the last of the semifinal rounds, arguing that “this house believes that justice is better achieved outside the courts”.
Though originally scheduled for Trinity, the semifinal instead took place in the University College Dublin (UCD) student centre, having been postponed due to Storm Éowyn.
They will face two teams from UCD’s L&H Society in the final, one made up of former auditors Rob Fitzpatrick and Adrianne Ward, the other of Stéphane de Baréid and Coleman Hegarty. David Rattigan and Emer Nolan, from the Solicitors’ Apprentice Debating Society of Ireland, will also compete in the team final.
Liam Boyce of the University of Galway Literary and Debating society and Irene Kellegher, from the Cadet School, will compete as individuals in the final.
The competition has been an annual fixture in the Irish debating calendar since 1965, with former winners and finalists including Michael D. Higgins, Mary Robinson, Eamonn McCann, Mary Harney, and Marian Finucane.
This year’s competition is being convened by Trinity law graduate Louise Cullen, who came runner-up in last year’s competition with partner Eoin Ryan, representing DU Law Society as secretary and auditor respectively.
