Dundalk duo win Irish Times Debate final

Law Students Ciara McLoughlin from the Avenue Road and Ceara Tonna-Barthet from Ravensdale emerged triumphant as the team winners of the 64th Irish Times Debate final.

Praising the participants' remarkable prowess, the judging panel lauded the “exceptionally high standard” of this year’s finalists, emphasising their remarkable wit, intelligence, and quick thinking throughout the competition.

The girls who both attend King's Inn took home the coveted Demosthenes Trophy for the best team as well as the opportunity to embark on an all-expenses-paid tour of the United States.

The grand final, held at University College Dublin’s FitzGerald Debating Chamber, and hosted by the college’s Literary and Historical Society saw a dozen speakers competing fiercely after months of preparation and rigorous competition involving over 200 third-level contestants. 

Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell, a distinguished former winner of the competition himself, chaired the esteemed judging panel, which included Irish Times editor Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, UCD president Prof Orla Feely, former Irish Times Debate champion Ailbhe Noonan, Oxfam’s director of public affairs Brid McGrath, and Prof Brent Northup of Carroll College Montana, who has organised the US tour since 2000.

The motion debated by the participants was “this house believes referendums are no way to run a country,” with contestants offering compelling arguments on both sides of the spectrum. 

Established in 1960, the Irish Times Debate competition is an all-island debating championship, open to full-time third-level students. The competition boasts a prestigious list of former winners, including renowned figures such as comedian Dara Ó Briain, film director Gerry Stembridge, and Supreme Court judges Adrian Hardiman and Donal O’Donnell, among others.