KILKISHEN’S Liam Boyce is showing his abilities to put up an argument.

A student at the University of Galway, Liam has reached the final of the prestigious Irish Times Debate which is the longest running third-level debate competition.

‘It is time for the citizens of the European Union to directly and democratically elect the president of the European Commission’ is the motion up for debate at the final which takes place on Friday, February 17th, in partnership with EU50. It will be chaired by former secretary-general of the European Commission Catherine Day.

Liam represents the Galway third level institute in the grand final which will also hear from UCD’s L&H‘s Owen O’Grady and Rob Fitzpatrick, MTU’s Oliver McKenna; Adrianne Ward and Jack Cummins of the UCD L&H, Dermot Hamill of Queens University Belfast’s Literary & Scientific Society; Gavin Dowd and Ailbhe Noonan from Sadsi.

Founded in 1846, the Literary and Debating Society also known as Lit & Deb is the oldest and most prestigious society at the University of Galway. It has been a force for the provocation and entertainment of the student body, its weekly debates in the Kirwan Theatre, guest speakers, comedy and literary events offer and enriched university experience outside of the confines of the lecture theatre and academia.

Previous winners of the Irish Times debate include the late broadcaster Marian Finucane, comedian Dara Ó Briain, writer Gerry Stembridge and the late Adrian Hardiman.

From Kilkishen, Liam is a past pupil of St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla where principal Juliet Coman said there was “great excitement” when they heard of his “recent achievement”.

She said, “We wish Liam well and we hope that his successes encourage our students to nurture their passions, reach for their dreams and be the best that they can be”.

In 2021, Liam alongside fellow Tulla student Eoghan Kinsella won the 2021 Model Council of the European Union.

During his school days in Tulla, he was also part of a team which reached the final of the BT Young Scientist competition with a project analysing the impact of different election systems on the outcome in various jurisdictions.

He was also invited to be a delegate in RTÉ’s Youth Assembly in Dail Eireann in 2019, stating at the time that he applied “because of the disproportionate influence of corporate interests in the framing of the climate debate. I was inspired, in particular, by American politician, Elizabeth Warren, who pointed out that the fossil fuel companies are working to frame the climate debate as if global warming was the problem of ordinary citizens only”.

Related News

20190720_Fleadh_Cheoil_na_Mumhan_20072019_0055
Fleadh Nua To Celebrate Frank Custy’s Life and Legacy
IMG_2125
Business Chamber Episode 1: Aoibhin Garrihy & Sharon Connellan of BEO Wellness
6
What is grief and how do we get over it?
2-SNNGroup_ThadysHill_May2025-2
Shannon has first conservation grazing project on airport owned land

Advertisement

Latest News
6
What is grief and how do we get over it?
2-SNNGroup_ThadysHill_May2025-2
Shannon has first conservation grazing project on airport owned land
clare v leitrim 02-05-25 connor meaney 1
Meaney makes Clare team in only change for Down game
clare county council hq logo
Council spent €78m on contractors & €12m on consultants last year
cafe lates 1
Café Lates returns for second year
Premium
tipperary v clare 10-05-25 gon shane o'donnell bryan o'mara michael breen 1
The Water Break: Clare's season hangs in the balance as tension enters the camp
01052025_Council_Cliffs_of_Moher_0275
Councillors finding it difficult to look public in the eye following €8m Cliffs of Moher deal
Trevor Quinn at Ennis Court
Teenager jailed for 'outrageous' broad daylight machete attack on busy Ennis street
clare v tipperary u20 10-05-24 terence fahy 1
Munster final with Tipperary 'a very exciting prospect' for Fahy & Clare U20s
feakle v cratloe 05-10-24 cathal mcinerney adam hogan 1
Club championship draws to take place next week & Clare GAA to make history with youth committee

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement