A Message from the Society’s Patron

Cúis áthais dom an dea obair atá ar siúl ag an gCumann Liteartha agus Diospóireachta i gcaitheamh na bliana, ag cur cuspóiri an Chumainn chun cinn. Tá meas ag an Ollscoil, idir foireann teagaisc agus mic léinn, ar an gCumann ársa seo.

I am pleased to note that the Lit & Deb has had a very successful year, organising debates on interesting and provocative topics and attracting speakers of a high calibre to address its meetings. The society, one of the oldest in the university, holds a special place in the hearts, not just of present students, but of the many thousands of NUI, Galway graduates, who, down through the years have enjoyed the debates, sometimes hilarious, sometimes serious, but always interesting and thought-provoking.

The Lit & Deb which celebrated 150 years in 1997, has a proud and distinguished history. Always one of the most popular societies in the university, the Lit & Deb has faced stiff competition in recent years from new societies. Now on the cusp of the millennium, the Lit & Deb faces the challenge of maintaining a key role in student life by providing a platform for interesting and enlightened debate.

As NUI, Galway prepares to celebrate the enrolment of the first students in October 1849, it is worth remembering that many of our graduates who have gone on to successful careers in the public service, politics and the arts, honed their considerable debating skills at the Lit & Deb. Despite the tremendous technological advances made since the society was established, its ‘raison d’etre’ has not changed or become any less relevant to student life. In fact, the age of the computer has not diminished the importance of the individual being able to stand in front of an audience and argue his/her side of a debate with clarity, courage and conviction.

Guím gach rath ar an Lit & Deb ins na blianta atá romhainn. Go néirí go geal leis!

Dr. Patrick F. Fottrell

Uachtarán

Feabhra, 1999