Debating & Public Speaking

Debating and Public Speaking have a long and noble tradition in the Loreto ethos.  We believe participation in debating fosters critical thinking, research skills, competitive spirit, empathy for and understanding of different perspectives, as well as building confidence and excellence in public speaking.

Loreto College Foxrock debaters learn to debate in British Parliamentary (BP) style, which is the standard format of the majority of schools’ debating at post-primary level. Students compete regularly in the university-run schools’ competitions (UCD Junior Schools, Leinster Schools Debates as well as the one-day Mace competitions run by the Law and Debating Societies in both Trinity and UCD). Teams also enter Mace debating competitions hosted by schools across Dublin. Speakers can also enter the Irish heats of the Cambridge and Oxford schools’ debates, as well as the qualifying rounds for the Irish Debate team which competes in the World Schools’ Debates every summer.

Loreto schools host their own annual Inter-Loreto Mace Debates Competition, where students from Loreto schools across the island of Ireland meet to debate each other formally. Past pupils of Loreto Schools who have continued to debate at inter-varsity (university) level, return to adjudicate and to provide valuable debating tips and feedback.

The Debating Society meets weekly at lunchtime for rousing debates on topical and timeless motions.  All students from all years are welcome to join the society, which is led by Debating Captains (at Junior and Senior level).

Most Loreto Foxrock debaters continue to pursue their interest in competitive debating at university level. Our alumnae have distinguished themselves through a range of notable achievements, including:

• President of The Philosophical Society in Trinity College, the world’s oldest debating society
• Representing Ireland as the UN Youth Delegate
• Competing as Trinity’s youngest ever inter-varsity speaker at the World University Debating Championships
• Winning UCD’s Maidens James Joyce Competition
• Competing in the elite invite-only HWS Round Robin debates run by Hobart and William Smith Colleges, New York

Public Speaking

For those students better suited to individual public speaking, we participate in the annual Junior and Senior Inter-Loreto Public Speaking Competition. Speakers do not have to be members of the Debating Society and can be nominated by their English teacher.

Students also compete in the PhilSpeaks Public Speaking workshops, the ProAm and competition run by Trinity College, as well as in the Kate Maher Public Speaking Competition (also run by TCD).

Recent Achievements

• Winner of the UCD Junior Schools’ Debates 2025 (Molly Andrews & Rachel Heeney)
• Winner of the Inter-Loreto Senior Debates Competition 2025 (Helen Shang & Audrey Sereda)
• Winner Best Speaker – Inter-Loreto Senior Debates 2025 (Helen Shang)
• Finalist (Individual Speaker) Leinster Schools’ Debates 2025 (Amelia Scallan)
• Finalist FÁS Public Speaking Competition 2025 (Helen Shang)
• Runner-Up Individual Speaker Leinster Schools’ Debates 2024 (Mya Madigan)

Debating Co-Captains 2025-26

Senior: TBC
Junior: TBC