Foreword to the journal of the

Literary and Debating Society

 

It has long been the tradition here at www.nuigalway.ie that the Literary and Debating Society would publish, each year, a college annual. Of late, the responsibility of producing such a publication rests on the shoulders of the Literary Officer, and may I congratulate Elaine Dobbyn on the diligent and professional manner in which she has overseen the publication of this year’s annual.

 

In a time when humanity has been overwhelmed by the pace of technological advancement, the simplicity behind a concept like the Literary and Debating Society seems refreshing. The 153rd session of the Lit ‘n’ Deb has been tremendously successful and everyone involved should be proud of their respective efforts. From the humour of Gibs’ night and the motion “That Mary Harney is the biggest thing in Irish politics” to the raw tension of the Siobhan McKenna Debate where the concept of Islam was passionately defended by members of the Muslim community in college, an evening spent at the Lit ‘n’ Deb has been at the very least thought provoking.

 

It has been a pleasure to be associated with the society in a year in which so much has been achieved. During the academic year 1999-2000 the society has hosted the 40th anniversary final of the Irish Times Debates (which was won by Louise Rouse, an Honorary Life Member), as well the semi finals of the Observer Mace competition. The biggest ever schools competition sponsored by the ESB has been tremendously successful thanks to the organisational skills of Aoife Shevlin.

 

The success of the Lit ‘n’ Deb is dependent on a number of factors. With this in mind I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following people who helped during the year: Matt Doran, Ronan Feehily, Phelim O’Neill, John Connolly, Matt the Porter, Ronan MacSweeney, Kieran Duffy, Fergal Crehan, Louise Rouse, John Meere, Maria Dillion, Fr Diarmuid Hogan, Dr’s Aidan Kane,William O’ Reilly and Brendan Wilkins and finally the committee of the l53rd Session whose hard work left me with little to do!

 

Conor Nelson

Auditor of the 153rd Session.