Internal Events- 155th Session

The 155th Session saw the usual battles taking place within the Literary and Debating Society, as far as internal competitions were concerned. It also saw a broad selection of external involvement from other societies and past members of the society.

The year kicked off in customary fashion with the Gibs’ Symposium, this year adjudicated by (amongst others) the very glamorous Ms Aisling Currid. It was therefore appropriate (or suspect, depending on your perspective) that on the night a former member of the St. Jarlath’s teaching staff was on the panel, that a former Jarlath’s schools champion took the bucket (sorry, trophy!) and unusually, a prize! It was also touching for the previous years Gibs winner that he was able to see the trophy for a second time before it was handed over to Garret Coy, who emerged victorious tram some very tough competition (young Dave Finn has got some future, you mark my words!).

The next major internal event was, of course, the Maiden Speakers Competition. For reasons beyond our control, the night did not see a full line-up of speakers, and we were forced to include two very un-Maiden speakers (Mr Peter O'Brien and my lovely self, naturellement!). Luckily, the subsequent valiant struggles of the competitors against one another (not to mention their attire!) were subject to possibly the most glowing praise this humble pleb has ever heard within the confines of the Kirwan Theatre, courtesy of the Chief Adjudicator, Conor Bowman. The eventual winner of the competition, Stephen Nolan, went home with a smile on his face and a warm feeling in his stomach, whilst the Internal Convenor (that handsome devil!) in no way felt he had led lambs to the slaughter.

Moving swiftly along, Staff v. Students proved a huge success, thanks to the staff representatives on the night, Aidan Kane of the Economics Dept., and Brendan Flynn of the Political Science & Sociology Dept. The lovely Ms. Jennifer Regan, who gave them a veritable roasting, held her own on behalf of the students, who turned out, as always, in their multitudes. Thanks to all who took part, we would have killed the fatted calf, but he was too busy writing the B-side reports (it was funny until certain comparisons were made, but you see, I can write too!). On the subject of literacy, it was around this time our Recording Secretary, Ms. Jonathan Ryan, ran off with a Jewish milkman, our Corresponding Secretary having gone missing in action some time previously (allegedly shortly after the AGM, on discovering the post involved, well, correspondence). With Ms. Ryan discovering domestic bliss in turn of the century Poland, we were forced to co-opt a Mr Stephen Nolan, whose literacy levels are roughly on a par with those of a Third World infant (i.e. better than Ms Ryan's).

The Inter-Societies competition proved more colourful, with the great and good (no, not even fooling myself here) debating the relative merits of the demise of the Celtic Tiger. The award on the night eventually went to the Philosophy Society, represented by Mr Martin Collins and Mr Greg Leddin (who actually realised they were at a debate), though the Choral Society did go one better than everyone else by singing a specially written song, much to the bemusement of the Chief Adjudicator, Mr Ronan Feehily (apparently they don't have music in Sligo, or something) but nonetheless worthy of mention. Thanks to all the societies who got involved, informal debating societies or otherwise (are you 1istening Law Soc?).

The Inter Faculties competition was this year sponsored by the very generous people at Corrib Village, who provided the prize and lubrication money for the night. It was something of a novelty to have rounds beforehand to decide who qualified for the competition, as opposed to just grabbing the first poor schmuck who walked in the door (usually non-committee, as they are never on time!). It also made victory sweeter for the winning team, who emerged clear winners on the night in question, through some of toughest competition of the year so far. Congratulations to Sheelagh McGuinness and Jane Cregan, who took the team title for the Arts faculty (where it belongs, might I add, law students!), Una Kimokeo-Goes took the individual title for the Arts faculty, a considerable achievement, given the fact that she was a late addition to the line-up on the evening, one of the most enjoyable of the year. Thanks to the Chief Adjudicator, Dr Brendan Wilkins.

Of course, the jewel in the Internal Competition crown (cheap, plastic and currently not in our possession) was, of course the Speaker of the Year Competition. The adjudication was presided over by Dr Brian Hughes, who has won the title so many times they almost retired it. Ladies be warned, he is also on a mission to marry every woman whose name appears on the trophy, the cad (cue frenzied, hormonal, menstrual women battling one another to scrawl their name on the trophy). With a competition featuring the societies finest speakers (our Irish Times semi-finalists, Dave Finn and Jennifer Regan, par example) the winner emerged clearly from the debate as Ms. Sheelagh McGuinness (though the unhappy boy with the refill pad at the back didn't think so... an endorsement of a speaker’s ability if ever I heard one!). Congratulations to Sheelagh, and to the highly commended speakers, Martin Collins and Jennifer Regan.

Just a short aside~ thanks to al1 those lecturers, speakers and adjudicators who helped make this year the success it was. In particular, thanks to Jennifer Regan and Una Kimokeo~Goes, who were always willing to step in at the last minute. Thanks also to the Auditor, Elaine Dobbyn and Vice-Auditor, Mark Hanniffy without whose help none of this would have been possible. Thanks also to those who saved my sanity at crucial points (notably Jane and Jennifer). Here's to another year of some semblance of internal events…or not…

Dang1e Roughly (2nd Arts)

Internal Convenor