Limerick students secure berth at debating finale

A LIMERICK school team has reached the final of one of Ireland’s largest debating contests.

Four students at Hazelwood College in Dromcollogher were one of 177 groups who took part in the Concern Debates contest this year.

They all shared the same aim - to become the country’s top debaters.

Now the four girls, Aisling O’Connor, Amy O’Gorman, Regina Burke and Lucy O’Gorman will travel to Dublin’s Helix Theatre early next month for the final.

In order to get there, they successfully opposed the motion that “the current aid system is ‘ineffective - it’s time to shift the power’.

Mentored by their teacher Catherine Shanahan, they debated against CBS Mullingar, Westmeath at an event held in the Camden Court Hotel at Dublin.

Now the students will return to the capital, on May 2, where they will take on another team from the province, Ursuline Secondary School of Thurles.

Concern Debates is marking its 40th anniversary this year.

It began in 1984 to encourage further debating about global issues among young people.

Well-known past participants of the competition include Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and well-known television broadcasters Claire Byrne and Karen Koster.

Concern’s head of active citizenship Lauren Wright, praised the debating finalists and the hundreds of other students who took part this year.

“The future is in excellent hands with these young debaters,” she said.

“We are very proud of all them and applaud their efforts. “It is our hope that they become active global citizens and lifelong advocates for creating a better world for everyone,” she added.

The students from Hazelwood College will, in the final, debate on a motion entitled ‘Achieving world peace is the defining task of the 21st century’.

Anyone interested in attending the final or who would like their school to take part in next year’s competition is asked to ring 01 417 7733.

Alternatively, you can email debates@concern.net.