College Historical Society Announces line-up for 234th Session

dublin | miscellaneous | press release Friday September 26, 2003 16:03 by John McGuirk - College Historical Society, TCD mcguirkj at tcd dot ie GMB, Trinity College, Dublin 2 086 0832011

Press release from College Historical Society informing Indymedia readers of interesting events forthcoming over the next academic year.

For Immediate Release

College Historical Society Announces line-up for 234th Session

Trinity Colleges Historical Society, the world’s oldest Debating Union, today announced its programme for the coming academic year, which sees it host a range of high profile guests such as Mohammed Al-Bareidi, UN Chief Nuclear weapons inspector, An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern T.D., Joshua Jackson, who stars as Pacey in hit TV show Dawsons Creek, and Major Charles Ingram, alleged “who wants to be a millionaire” quiz show cheat.

Formally launching the 234th Session, Hist Auditor Alison McIntyre expressed her delight at the society’s line-up for the year ahead. “The next year will be a very exciting one for all involved in the Hist”, said Ms. McIntyre. “Obviously we are immensely excited about the prospect of being the first Irish organisation to host Major Charles Ingram, particularly after the recent controversy in the Daily Telegraph surrounding his visit to the Hist and the Oxford Union” Major Ingram’s visit to the Hist was recently the subject of some controversy after the Daily Telegraph criticised him for profiting from his alleged crimes. The Major will attend the society for an interview early in the New Year.

“Some of the other highlights of the coming year will include the annual Northern Ireland debate on October 15th, with guests including Mark Durkan, leader of the SDLP, PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde, and Gregory Campbell of the DUP, which looks like it may coincide with fresh assembly elections in the North” continued Ms. McIntyre. “Also, later on in the year we will host opposition leader Enda Kenny and former Thaoisigh Albert Reynolds and Garret Fitzgerald for a state of the nation debate ahead of the local elections”.

This year, the Society has launched a “greatest Irish person” poll on its Website, www.thehist.com, which will culminate in a “greatest Irish person” debate on April 7th, with guest speakers representing all of those nominated in what promises to be a fascinating evening. The Society also intends hosting an event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the admittance of Women to Trinity.

The College historical society is the worlds oldest and arguably most prestigious debating union, founded originally by Edmund Burke in 1770. Over the years it has been home to some of Irelands most famous sons and daughters, including Isaac Butt, Oscar Wilde, Edward Carson and as previously mentioned Robert Emmet and Theobald Wolfe Tone. Famous recent members include Mary Harney T.D., the first lady Auditor of the society. In recent years it has been addressed by Jeffrey Donaldson, Jack Charton, Bob Geldof, George Galloway, Germaine Greer and Mary McAleese, to name but a few. Last year the Society elected Professor David McConnell as its president, replacing Dr. Conor Cruise O’Brien, Gold medallist of the society, who had served with distinction for many years.

“I have no doubt that the coming year is going to be one to remember. With guests ranging from the former Chief UN weapons inspector and the Taoiseach, Mr. Ahern, to Joshua Jackson and Charles Ingram, the next few months promise to bring controversy, laughs, and excitement to the Students of Trinity”, concluded Ms. McIntyre.





Schedule Of Events, College Historical Society, Michaelmas term 2003

Freshers Week, Wednesday, October 1st
Freshers Gold medal Debate with special guest Pauline McLynn
“That this house would make love, not war”

Week One, Wednesday, October 8th
The Gay Rights debate, in association with TCD LGB
“That this House Supports Gay Marriage”
The Honorable Senator David Norris
Brendan Courtney
Representatives of the Irish Council for Civil liberties

Week two, Wednesday, October 15th
The Annual Northern Ireland Debate
“That this house would reassemble the assembly”
Hugh Orde, Chief Constable, PSNI
Mark Durkan, Leader, SDLP
David Ervine, Leader, PUP,
Gregory Campbell, DUP,
Nigel Dodds M.P., DUP,
Noel Thompson, BBC Newsline.

Week three, Wednesday, October 22nd
The Environment Debate
“That this house believes Nuclear Energy is the best solution to global warming”
Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for the Environment and local government
Trevor Sargent T.D., leader of the Green Party

Week four, Wednesday, October 29th
The Media Debate
“That this house believes the Global media are a threat to free speech”
Robert Thomson, Editor of the Times
Charlie Bird, RTE
Brian Dobson, RTE
Philip Boucher-Hayes, five-seven live
Representatives of the BBC, the Guardian

Week five, Wednesday, November 5th
The Annual Globalisation Debate
In association with the Trinity Institute for International Integration Studies
“That this house believes the left is the way forward”
Alan Rushbridger, Editor of the Guardian
More to be announced............

Week six, Wednesday November 12th
The Popular Culture Debate
“That this house believes Popular Culture favours Arse over Art”
Paul Martin, Showbiz Editor, The Mirror
Myles Duncan, Presenter of Rattlebag

Week Eight, Wednesday November 26th
The State of the Nation Debate
“That this house believes Fianna Fáil poisoned the Celtic tiger”
Garrett Fitzgerald (Former Taoiseach)
Albert Reynolds (Former Taoiseach)
Enda Kenny (Leader of Fine Gael)
Michael Murray, (the Sunday Business Post)

Monday, December 2nd
Address by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, T.D.
“The EU Presidency and Ireland”

Also this Year:

The Joshua Jackson Interview
The Charles Ingram Interview
The UN Debate with Mohammed el Bareidi, Director of the IAEA and Chief Weapons inspector in Iraq, Rageh Omar of the BBC, Mark Little, Prime Time.
The Greatest Irish Person Debate
The Annual Comedy Night with Ardal O’Hanlon
An evening with Peter Stringfellow
And much more..................

For further details contact John McGuirk, College Historical Society Press Officer, at 086 083 2011, or alternatively by email at mcguirkj@tcd.ie

Alternatively, for a full schedule of events, email duhist@tcd.ie