An Phiarsaigh Debates

This competition is being run for the benefit of the Irish language. To that end, we believe that the debates can be used as a tool to teach the language through the participation of the whole class. This can be done in various ways, for example:

-getting the whole class to research the topic of the secret
-give the topic of the secret to the class as an essay and discuss the opinions that arise in class
-encourage the whole class to attend the debates.

Read all the rules carefully HERE.

Click REGISTER at the top of this page and follow the instructions to complete and submit the form online.

The closing date for entries is 24 September 2026

There will be a €20/£20 fee for team registration.

A new system will be implemented in the An Phiarsaigh Debating Competition. The competition will be divided as follows:

Round 1: Two online debates via ZOOM; October to December
Round 2: Play-offs with the top 32 teams from round 1; January onwards
Round 3: Play-offs with the 16 winning teams from round 2 (x 4 Regional Championships)
Round 4: Play-offs with the 4 winning teams from round 3 (All-Ireland Championships)

Each team will consist of three people.

It is essential that each team has a representative in case one of the three is unavailable on the day of the debate.

The three will speak on the same side of the motion: Speaker 1 (Captain); Speaker 2; Speaker 3

In addition to making their own points, the Captain will be responsible for defining the motion and outlining their team’s position on it. The Captain will not be required to speak twice.

It is an advantage for all schools to participate in the online rounds because:

-Students have the opportunity to get used to the format of debates before having to do them in front of a crowd
-Feedback is available from adjudicators on each debate
-Schools have more flexibility regarding the schedule of debates
-Each school participating in the debates is divided into groups of four teams.
-Two teams debate each other in the online rounds.
-This round is held on ZOOM, and recordings of the debates must be sent to Gael Linn as an “unlisted” YouTube link before the deadline given at the beginning of the competition.
-After each debate in round 1, the 32 teams with the highest number of points will be placed on the leaderboard.
-The 32 teams with the most points on that board at the end of round 1 will advance to round 2 (head-to-head).

This competition is open to post-primary schools where teaching is not through Irish.
The competition will be divided as follows: one online round with two debates per school, and face-to-face debates from round 2.
There will be two sections in the competition – Junior Division and Senior Division.
The Junior Division is for students in Junior Cycle classes.
The Senior Division is for students in Leaving Certificate classes (including Transition Year).
No school may enter more than one team in the Junior Division and one team in the Senior Division.
Each team will pay an entry fee of €15.00.
The judges’ decision will be final at the debate rounds and the judges’ personal marks will not be made available.
In the debates from round 2 onwards, an attempt will be made to choose times and venues that suit the competitors but teachers must accept the arrangements made by Gael Linn. Most rounds will start at 5PM (Monday to Thursday).
Time and Order of Speakers
10. The Captain of each team speaks first, then Speaker 2 from each team and finally Speaker 3 from each team (A1, B1, C1, D1, A2, B2, C2, D2, A3, B3, C3, D3)

11. Junior Division Each speaker is given three minutes. Senior Division – Each speaker is given four minutes.

12. The bell is rung when a speaker has one minute left and again when the time is up. No marks are awarded for any speech made after the second bell and marks may be deducted from a person who goes too far.

Conduct of the Debate
13. The chairperson always speaks and his authority must be respected.

14. No speaker may be interrupted, but, when the competition is over, the chairperson may open the debate to the floor.

Opinion (40 marks) – All Speakers

Choose two or three points and develop them well
Stick to the point at all times – it is a good idea to state the wording of the point at some point in the speech.
No two speakers on the same team should have the same point.
Honest fresh opinions on issues rather than outdated views are especially welcome.

Refutation (20 marks) – Speaker 2 & 3

It is best not to give the entire response at the beginning or end, it is better to weave it into the speech.
It is important to listen carefully to the views of the opposition and not try to answer points that were not made at all.
It is not enough to say that the opposition has a point that is wrong and leave it at that.
It must be clearly demonstrated, by using facts or examples, why, in the speaker’s opinion, the point is wrong.
It is sufficient to refute a point once. Do not have different members of the team rebutting the same point.
No rebuttals should be made to points made by another team speaking on the same side of the motion.

Attendance (25 marks) – All Speakers

It is advisable to stand in the same place at all times and use the lectern. It is not advisable to walk around the room. Arguments lose their effectiveness if the audience has to follow the speaker from place to place.
It is advisable to use the hands, face and eyes to emphasise a point if the speaker can do this naturally.
The entire speech should not be written out in advance as there is a risk of it being read out in its entirety. It is best to use small cards with headings on them. The judges will be very strict with competitors who read their speech from a pre-written script.
You should speak clearly and raise and lower your voice as necessary.
Each speaker speaks to the audience, even when refuting. You should refer to the person being refuted rather than turning around and speaking directly to them.
The emphasis in debates is on the spoken word and, therefore, unless they are used very effectively, showing props (such as pictures, articles, from newspapers, etc.) to the audience is of no advantage.

Fluency in Irish (15 marks) – All speakers

You should speak in clear and simple Irish. These are debates through the medium of Irish, not a language competition.

Teamwork (30 marks)

The team must adhere closely to the resolution.
Must work according to the Captain’s plan.
Must respond to the main arguments of the opposition.
The team must demonstrate that they are capable of functioning as a team rather than as three individual speakers.

Marking System for the Online Round

The same marking system will be used for the online debates (Round 1) and the face-to-face debates (Round 2 onwards).
Following the above marking system, the judges will award a mark out of 10 to both teams in any debate in Round 1 (online).
This mark out of 10 will appear on the scoreboard of the group of 4 teams as an overall grade of the quality of the debate. The same mark out of 10 of the highest 32 teams from all groups will appear on the leaderboard along with any additional points they have earned.

These additional points will be awarded as follows:

Two additional points will be awarded if either team wins.
One additional point will be awarded if both teams finish on a draw.
No additional points will be awarded to the losing team.

The 32 teams with the most points on the leaderboard after the two debates in Round 1 (online) will advance to Round 2 (face-to-face).

Tá ceithre fiseáin eolais ar na hábhair seo a leanas ar fáil ar YouTube thíos:

Cúrsaí Ama ANSEO

Leagan Amach Seomra na Díospóireachta ANSEO

Ag Taifeadadh ar ZOOM ANSEO

Ag Uaslódáil go YouTube ANSEO

Individual prizes in the form of plaques will be awarded to all speakers at the Regional Championships.

At the All-Ireland Championships, the Gael Linn Permanent Champion and a prize of €1,000 will be awarded to the All-Ireland, Junior and Senior champions. The other teams in the Championships will be awarded a prize of €250 per team.

All speakers in the Championships will be awarded a special certificate. Commemorative certificates will be awarded at the event to all schools participating in the Championships.