Uí Chadhain Debates

This competition is being run for the benefit of Irish. 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 involved in researching the topic of the resolution
-giving the topic of the resolution as an essay to the class and discussing the opinions that arise in class
-encouraging the whole class to attend the debates
-preparing students who will not be on the team in advance to give their opinions from the floor at the end of the debate.

Up to four teams participate in each debate. Two teams advance from each round.

This year’s competition will begin the week of 6 October 2025. A list of arrangements will be sent to teachers at least one week in advance. These arrangements will not be changed.

If a team(s) withdraw, the debate will continue with the remaining number of teams. After the second or third round (depending on the number of applications) two Regional Finals will be organised at which prizes will be awarded.

The main way teachers will be contacted in relation to this competition is by email. Therefore, it is important that the school email address and the teacher’s own email address are correct on the entry form, as well as the mobile phone number. The teacher’s personal details will not be shared with any third party.

Read all the rules carefully HERE. Then click on REGISTER at the top of the page and follow the instructions to fill out and submit the form. There will be a €15 fee for registering a team. The closing date for entries is 17 September 2025.

Each team consists of three people and up to four teams compete in each debate round. All three speak on the same side of the motion. In addition to making their own points, the Captain is responsible for defining the motion and outlining their team’s position on it. The Captain will not be required to speak twice. It is essential that each team has a representative in case one of the three is unavailable on the day of the debate. Comprehensive instructions are provided to all teachers who enter a team on how to prepare a team for debate. There is also a video guide at the bottom of this page.

Since the start of the competition, teams have been paid a certain amount of travel expenses for long journeys. A sum of €30 is paid to each team travelling more than 50 miles from home, and €60 to each team travelling more than 100 miles from home. A special travel allowance is paid to teams participating in the All-Ireland Championship.

Gael Linn will have the right to use images taken at Gael Linn events as publicity material for the organisation in the future provided that permission to take photographs has been obtained from the school in advance.

Gael Linn has a public liability insurance policy which covers all of our schemes. However, at events organised for school pupils, Gael Linn is a facilitator rather than a supervisor and each school must nominate a teacher or adult who will be responsible for the safety and supervision of the pupils.

1. The competition is open to post-primary schools where instruction is through the medium of Irish. (For schools with an Irish stream, if any student, even one, who is in the Irish stream is selected to speak on a team, that team must take part in Comórtas Uí Chadhain. If students who are not in the Irish stream are selected, the team may take part in Comórtas an Phiarsaigh, the other debating competition we organise for schools where instruction is not through the medium of Irish).

2. There are two divisions in the competition – Junior Division and Senior Division.

3. The Junior Division is for students in Junior Cycle classes. In the case of schools in the Six Counties in Northern Ireland, students must be under 16 on 1 January 2026.

4. The Senior Division is for students in Leaving Certificate classes (including Transition Year). In the case of schools in the Six Counties of Northern Ireland, students must be under 19 on 1 January 2026.

5. No school may enter more than one team in the Junior Division and one team in the Senior Division.

6. Each team will pay an entry fee of €15.00.

7. The decision of the judges at the debating rounds will be final and no marks will be awarded.

8. Every effort will be made to select times and venues that are convenient for the competitors but teachers must accept the arrangements made by Gael Linn. Most rounds take place at 4.30 p.m. or 5 p.m.

Debate Arrangements
9. Teams are given the resolution at least a week before each debate round.

Time and Order of Speakers
10. 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. A speaker may not be interrupted, but, when the competition is over, the chairperson may open the debate to the floor.

Up to 100 marks will be awarded to each speaker, divided as follows:

Definition & Outline (25) (Team Captain)

The Captain will be responsible for defining the resolution and outlining his team’s position on it.

Opinion (45)

Choose two or three points and develop them well
Stick to the resolution at all times – it is a good idea to mention the wording of the resolution at some point in the speech.
No two speakers on the same team should have the same point.
Honest fresh opinions on issues will be especially welcome, rather than outdated views.
Refutation (25) (Speaker 2 & 3)

It is better 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 to attempt to answer points that have not been made.
It is not enough to simply say that the opposition 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 rebuttal should be made to points made by another team speaking on the same side of the motion.
Presentation & Fluency (30)

It is advisable to stand in the same place at all times and use the lectern. It is not good to walk around the room. Arguments lose their effectiveness if the audience has to follow the speaker from place to place.
It is good 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 better 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.
Every 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, there is no advantage in showing props (such as pictures, articles, from newspapers, etc.) to the audience.
You should speak in simple, accurate Irish. These are debates through the medium of Irish, not a language competition.

Individual prizes in the form of plaques will be awarded to all speakers at the Regional Championships. At the All-Ireland Championships, the All-Ireland champion in the Junior Division will be awarded the Corn Uisne and a prize of €1,000 and the All-Ireland champion in the Senior Division will be awarded the Corn Gael Linn and a prize of €1,000. Prizes of €250 per team will be awarded to the other teams in the Championships. Certificates will be awarded to all members of the teams that take part in the competition at the final round in which they participate. A special certificate will be awarded to all speakers in the Championships.