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University of Limerick Debating Union
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University of Limerick Debating Union
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.
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. The name 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.
The Literary and Philosophical Society
The John Holland Theatrical became the "Lit & Phil" in 1989 after the NIHE became a University and 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. Cathal Kelly was the first Limerick speaker to reach the semi-final round of the Irish Times National Debating Competition for the society, as an individual speaker.
The Law Society
Like many other student law societies in Ireland, the University of Limerick's Law Society occasionally fielded teams in competition but this depended on the committee of the year.
The Parliamentary Debating Society
Formed in 1992 to prioritise competitive debate. Initially returned to the roots of Limerick debate by utilising the John Holland Lecture Theatre. Diarmuid Scully and Niamh Lyons were the first Limerick team to reach the elimination rounds of the World Universities Debating Championships at the Oxford Union Society in January 1993.
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
- 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.
- European Universities Debating Championships
- The Debating Union submitted a bid at the 2001 Championships in Portoroz, Slovenia to host the 2002 event but the Europeans Council chose University of Haifa, Israel to host.
- Mark Dowling (2001) and Colm Flynn (1999 and 2005) have served as Grand Final Judges at the Championships.
Structure
The membership elects a committee at the annual general meeting. The highest position is that of Auditor.
Past Auditors
- 2003-04 Michelle Ni Ghaboid
- 2001-02 Julian Moore
- 2000-01 Cait NiChochlain
- 1999-00 Michael 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 John Baird / Margaret Stronge-Smith
External links
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