Inter-Varsity Debating finalist

Posted on : February 25, 2018

Well done to Russell Nairn, one of our Leaving Cert 2017 students who represented Queens University, Belfast, in the National Finals of the Irish Times University Debating Competition on Friday 23rd February. This inter-varsity competition is the most prestigious one of its kind in Ireland.  Russell was one of two finalists in the Individual Speaker category of the competition, proposing the motion “This house Believes That Ireland Has Failed Its Youth”, and the first finalist from Queens since 2013. Unfortunately, on the night,  the competitor from UCD won.  Nevertheless Russell’s achievement in getting to the final of this competition is considerable, especially given that this is just his first year in University.  Many years of debating ahead! Russell was heavily involved in debating in SGS, reaching the finals of the Soapbox Public Speaking Competition and the West of Ireland Debates (with team member Niamh Kilroy), as well as qualifying for the National trials of the Team Ireland Debating Team in 2017. We wish him all the very best in the future, both in his studies and in debating!