Historic debating success for south Mayo students

Ballinrobe Community School students Julia Dubaj and Stephen Maye have been crowned team champions of the Mayo Association Dublin debating competition’s grand final.

This is the second year in a row that Ballinrobe Community School has emerged victorious.

Esther Burke, teacher and debating coach of the winning team, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to retain our school title as Mayo debating champions.

"It’s a huge accomplishment, not only for Julia and Stephen, but for the school itself.

"Debating as a skill is more important than ever in today’s world and we thank Mayo Association Dublin for organising this excellent event.”

The motion up for debate, “This house believes the high point of Trumpism is passed," resulted in lively and combative contributions from teams representing St. Gerald’s Castlebar, St. Joseph’s Castlebar, Ballinrobe Community School and Scoil Muire agus Padraig Swinford.

The triumphant Ballinrobe students opposed the motion.

The Mayo Association Dublin Schools Debating competition was inaugurated in 2016.

This year’s debate was facilitated by the Hist Society at Trinity College Dublin