The Irish Times Debate

Some more gorgeous moments from the Grand Final on Friday🎬

📸Alan Beston

🥰🏆2026 Champions🏆🥰

📸 Alan Beston

What. A. Night.

From 280 students to just three champions – the 66th Irish Times Debate Final was one to remember.

Huge thank you to Dublin City University for hosting such an incredible evening.

🏆 Team Winners
Anya Wilson & Athena Wu of the Hist crowned champions and winners of the Demosthenes Trophy.

🎤 Best Individual Speaker
Cian Carew of SADSI recipient of the Christina Murphy Memorial Trophy.

👏 Runner-Up Team
Tara Kennedy & Joyce O’Sullivan of UCC Law Society

👏 Runner-Up Individual
Christina Mohan of King’s Inns

Debating the motion “This house believes the United Nations has had its day”, the standard was nothing short of exceptional. As chairperson noted, the quality of debate continues to inspire hope for the next generation.

From the first round last autumn to Friday night’s final, this competition showcased courage, intellect, and the power of ideas.

Here’s to the champions, the finalists, and every student who stepped up to speak. The future is in good hands✨

What a night so far! Incredibly arguments from both the opposition and proposition.

Who will take the trophies home? 🫣

✨Grand Final Teams✨

We’re 11 days out from the Grand Final happening on 27 February 🏆

Meet our incredible finalists:

UCC LawSoc: Tara Kennedy, Joyce O’Sullivan

TCD Hist: Anya Wilson, Athena Wu

UCD L&H: Tori Kelly, Nicole McFadden

King’s Inns: Christina Mohan, David Leahy

Four teams. One title. Let’s gooooo 💥

Last Friday, Tori Kelly and Nicole McFadden of the UCD L&H and Róisin McCormack of DCU Debate progressed to the Grand Final of the Irish Times Debate 2026🤩👏🏻

Moments from our last semi-final on Friday night✨

📸Enda O’Dowd

✨✨The motion for the Grand Final is here✨✨

📍DCU, 27 February

Drawing January to a close with our fourth and final semi-final, happening tomorrow in Trinity🫶🏻

An exciting night ahead as the motion for the grand final will be released and finalists will receive their position in the debate.

✨ Extra audience seats will be available on the night✨

A huge thank you to for acting as Honorary Chairperson at our debate last Friday👏🏻🫶🏻

📸Nick Bradshaw

Some more photos from our fantastic semi-final on Friday night✨

📸Nick Bradshaw