The Royal Academical Debating Society is oldest extant debating society in Ireland.
There is both a junior and a senior society at Inst. The Junior Society is for those in Year 8-Year 10 and is run by Mr Woods. The Senior Society is for those in Year 11-14 and is run by Mr Leathley.
We meet at lunchtimes and engage in a number of activities including:
Regular workshops designed to assist boys in the development of their debating and public speaking skills.
Regular roundtable debates where boys can discuss the issues of the day.
Regular formal debates where individual students can practice their skills in a competitive environment.
We also hold joint debates with students from Victoria College and boys are encouraged to participate in external competitions where possible.
We sometimes welcome guests from the world of politics, business and the media to speak to the boys.
The aim of the Royal Academical Society is to increase the boys’ confidence, to equip them with effective communication skills and to inform them about the critical topics of our time.