Kildare student reaches final of top debating competition

A Naas Co Kildare student has reached the final of one of Ireland’s most prestigious student debating competitions.

Nicole McFadden, who is studying Sustainability at University College Dublin, has qualified for the final of the Irish Times Debating Competition as part of the UCD Literary and Historical Society (L&H) team. She is competing alongside teammate Tori Kelly.

Now in its 66th year, the Irish Times Debate is regarded as the leading intervarsity debating competition in the country, attracting participants from universities and debating societies nationwide.

McFadden and Kelly secured their place in the final after winning the team award at the semi-final, which took place in the Graduates’ Memorial Building at Trinity College Dublin. The semi-final debate centred on the motion that “this house believes that it is time for a men’s rights movement” and was adjudicated by a panel chaired by Irish Times Ireland and Britain editor Mark Hennessy.

The semi-final featured 12 competitors, including four teams and four individual speakers, representing institutions such as UCD, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, Queen’s University Belfast and the King’s Inns.

The final of the Irish Times Debating Competition will take place on Friday, February 27, at Dublin City University, where finalists will compete for both team and individual honours.

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