Foreword to the
Journal of the Literary and Debating Society
Another year draws to a close for the Literary and Debating Society of University College Galway. Accustomed to seeing the auditor of the year remain ‘stately’ behind the podium, mouth shut (no harm!) without him/her throwing in their twopence worth, this is one of the few chances the auditor gets to make his/her feelings known on the year’s events.
This year it was my great honour and pleasure to have served you all as auditor. It was hard from time to time to feel at ease with the position, as believe me it’s not as easy as it’s cracked up to be. It was an important year it being the 150th anniversary of the largest debating society of the British Isles, something the Lit ‘n’ Debbies are ever so proud of.
Before going any further a huge thank you must be said to all the committee for their hard work throughout the year. As all committees do, we had our ups and downs initially, but a unity and friendship has developed amongst us all, that will be remembered.
On election night, I promised I would try to achieve a situation at the Lit ‘n’ Deb that catered for one and all, that encouraged people to speak freely at a more relaxed session of the society. Thankfully, according to the feedback from members, this seems to have occurred. With regards to the ‘tree’ of the Lit ‘n’ Deb, we hoped that the seedlings of debaters that we found on Gibs’ Night would grow and develop throughout the year. Our 10 excellent maiden speakers and our PRO sub-committee proved this with speakers like Caoimhín Mac Unfraidh, Emer Ryan, Brian Leahy and many more showing a growing confidence throughout the year.
With regards to the roots of the Lit ‘n’ Deb, the weekly punters that arrive in were looked after with regards to their expectations of some good debating, mixed with slander, wit, plenty of humour on nights like the homosexual soap box, the ex-auditors’ debate, the Times and Observer Mace rounds, and the outstanding Speaker of the Year ‘lust is better than love’ debate.
Lastly our ‘bark of the tree’, the dinosaur debaters, the well seasoned auditors that spread our good name throughout the nation. Brian Hughes and Marguerite Clancy won the Kingsmill-Moore Intervarsity which put u son a good footing for the year. we went on to have 3 teams in the Mace semi-final, 12 speakers in the Times semi-final and 2 speakers in the Times final who remembered us with distinction. Our finalists did us proud as always, but it’s the likes of Coilín Parsons, Aisling Currid, Maria Dillon and Fergal Crehan who broke onto the circuit with a bang this year, that keep the spirit if the Lit ‘n’ Deb alive, and that was something I am proud to be a part of.
Finally, before I let you proceed with your reading, I must thank my own basic support team for this year; Clodagh my team mate and friend, Emily, Cathy, Niamh, Jackie and June who supported my wholeheartedly throughout the year (and made sandwiches for our receptions) and my old friend and vice auditor Owen Ross. Thanks to you all.
All the best to one and all,
Your Auditor for the 150th Session,
Michelle de Brún.