Cork IV

The Cork Invitational and Inter Varsity Debating Competition took place over the weekend. Thursday saw the action kick off with the Invitational, a small select competition of a very high standard but with a very relaxed atmosphere. Thank you to everyone who participated and judged especially our CA Mark Collins. Well done to everyone who broke and in particular congratulations to Barbara Streisand (aka Muireann O’Dwyer and Niall Sherry) who won the competition in flamboyant style.



The IV kicked off in the Boole basement on Friday afternoon with mince pies. After debating the contentious issues surrounding banning private schools and Wikileaks, a barbeque dinner of hot dogs, burgers, salads and mulled wine awaited the competitors before they headed to the Old Bar for an intense and fiery karaoke session.


Despite the epic Friday night social everyone managed to make it pretty much on time to the waffle breakfast on Saturday morning. After blowing the power however, the breakfast was reduced to the old reliable bread and butter and the waffles were served for brunch. Throughout Saturday the pension, assassinating Korea’s Kim Jong Il and defaulting on the bailout and pulling out of the Euro, were debated and the best were separated from the rest. The best were rewarded with the opportunity to debate the legitimacy of protests and everyone was given plenty of mulled wine throughout the day to drown their sorrows. Christmas dinner was provided in the Main Rest with delicious apple crumble for desert and plenty of complimentary beverages.


Running very close to time for a debating competition (thank you competitiors for turning up on time and judges for being so efficient), the final kicked off before 21.00 in the majestic Aula Maxima. Cambridge, UCD, Leiden and Manchester got to argue about Irish sovereignty while the assembled crowd embraced the festive spirit in true Irish style and departed to Scotts nightclub with a glass of yakka in their hand. The announce was finally made after 01.00 in the morning, with Trinity taking the novice title and Leiden taking the IV win.


If you thought that was the end, it wasn’t! A house party followed, Times rounds took place in the Council Chambers on Sunday, UCC Maidens rounds are taking place all week, Friday will host the last House Meeting of the semester (Internal Mace Final in Freemasons Lodge at 19.30 with Catherine McGuinness) and the Mistletoe party on Monday December 13th kicks off with a Christmas movie at 18.30.



So to Anne the IV Convenor, congratulations. You ran a fantastic IV. To the CA, Ross Frenett and Tabmaster Stephen Goodman thank you for being so amazing all weekend. And to all competitiors and judges thank you for coming, we hope you had a great time and if you are still in Cork join us for our last House Meeting and Mistletoe party in the coming days!