As a society founded around the art of oratory, debating is the very essence of The Phil. It can take many different forms; from speaking in The Chamber at our Thursday evening meetings, to representing Trinity College and the Society competitively around the world. The Phil also runs tutorials, workshops and internal competitions throughout the year, to suit every appetite and ability. Even if you have never debated before, it’s easy to get involved and learn the skills of public speaking.

click below to learn more about competitive
debating and our workshops

DEBATING COMPETITIONS
The Maidens - Michaelmas Term
The 'Eamonn O'Coine Memorial Maidens' is a competition for Freshers and novice speakers. The main objective is to serve as an introduction to college debating, get acquainted with other members of the Society and have fun. Each year the competition is convened by the Society’s Vice-President.

Participants compete in several preliminary rounds, to get comfortable with speaking in public and the entire competition is run in tandem with weekly debating workshops to hone the participant’s news skills. The competition culminates in the grand final, held in The Chamber towards the end of Michaelmas term. It's traditionally a very classy affair, with competitors in black tie and a grand reception to follow.

If you've never debated before and you wish to learn the art of public speaking The Maidens is the perfect opportunity to do so.

The Mahaffys - Hilary Term
The 'JP Mahaffy Memorial Competition' is named for the former President of the University Philosophical Society and Provost of Trinity College. Indeed, Oscar Wilde described the man as his "first and greatest teacher".

The Mahaffy's has traditionally been a competition for novice speakers and Freshers’, and is a good follow on from The Maidens. The competition is run over a single day in Hilary Term and is another great way to get involved with the Society and meet new people. Participants compete as teams and awards and prizes are given out throughout the day for teams that excel. In the evening, the final teams progress to the black-tie final which is traditionally held in The Chamber. After the competitions, everyone retires for a generous reception in The Conversation Room.

The Maggies - Hilary Terms & Trinity Term
The 'Margaret Thatcher Memorial Competition' is named (ironically) for Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Conservative Party. The origins of the name are typically shrouded in mystery and tradition and like most things in The Phil, we are sure that it seemed like a hilarious idea at the time.

The competition is informal and relaxed, participant compete in teams of two, and are assigned rounds in a league format. Thus, competitors get the experience of debating against some of the best and most entertaining speakers in Trinity College. Rounds take place at accommodating times during the week, beginning in January and are spread out throughout Hilary Term.

In Trinity term, the leading teams qualify for the black-tie final, held in The Chamber with the winning team being awarded a grand prize and the competition’s top speaker being awarded The Maggie’s Sword. It's one of the last debating events of the season, and certainly one of the most enjoyable.


INVERVARSITIES
Intervarsities are debating competitions, with participants competing on behalf of their university. We send many teams to IVs all over the UK and Ireland - Oxford, London, Cork and Galway. Phil debaters also travel to the Worlds Championships and the European Championships.

Typically, IV competitions start on Friday evening with teams competing in five preliminary rounds. Then the best teams debate in the final on Saturday night before the assembled crowd. The Society usually pays for travel to the competition and registration costs, with the hosts providing food for the weekend. There's usually a night out afterwards to celebrate and relax.

The highlight of the debating calendar is the Trinity IV. Hosted jointly by ‘The Phil’ and ‘The Hist’, it's traditionally been held in late January and can reliably claim to be the best debating competition in the country - with a reputation for incredible oratory and great fun. The final knock-out rounds of the competition in The Chamber have become legendary, with the best teams in the UK and Ireland always in attendance.

click on The Trinity IV link below for more details

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