Environmental Youth Speak Competition Well done to Connor Hogan and Seamus McGeough from Breffni 2 on their debut in public speaking. Connor and Seamas took part in the Newry and Mourne SWAMP competition in Bagenal’s Castle in April which promotes environmental awareness and good practice.

The boys competed against several schools in the region during a day of debate. Their topic was on the matter of ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Why in that order?’ and is a great starting point for further competitions.

Br. McFarland Trophy 2007: Ryan takes the Final step to lift the Brother McFarland Trophy.

Tuesday 27th March saw another closely fought senior debating final in the Abbey. Given the long tradition of debating in the school it is perhaps no surprise that the standard amongst debaters and particularly finalists is so high, yet each year the competition for the prestigious Br. McFarland Trophy is immense. Detailed research and analysis are put to the test under sustained pressure in front of a large audience. As with previous years the 2007 finalists were selected from the preliminary rounds chaired by the English department and showed their linguistic and critical thinking skills to great success.

With gratitude we welcomed back our sponsor Mr Rory McShane, a former past pupil and prominent solicitor in Newry, and our chairman Mr Patrick Mooney, former Head of English in the Abbey. The contribution to the competition by such well-known and respected figures lends its own air of gravity and the finalists did not let us down. Indeed the standard was so remarkably high that each finalist must be commended. In addition to our sponsor and chairman we were delighted to have Mr Seamus McKee, broadcaster with BBC’s Radio Ulster, as our guest speaker. Mr McKee’s wide-ranging experience in politics and broadcasting has made him an established household name and it was a great pleasure to have such a distinguished guest for such a significant trophy.

Congratulations to all eight finalists including: Philip McClory, Mark McCavitt, Seamus Brannigan, Daniel Sutherland, Niall O’Donnell and especially to: Ryan Martin, winner of the Br. McFarland Trophy 2007, to Conal O’Hare placed second and to Conor McGuigan placed third.

I would particularly like to thank the other debaters who took part in the preliminary rounds and encourage them to build on their experience for next year, and my English department colleagues for their support and assistance during the debates.

The Question is Academic

Four Abbey men made their Politics Show debut on Friday 20th October in fine style. They were four stalwart campaigners chosen to argue on the topic of academic selection and to put a twist in the tale, our neighbours Newry High School were asked to argue in favour of academic selection while the Abbey CBS team was to argue against.

Newry High opened the argument and Ryan Martin was quick to question their alternatives for academic selection in the light of the 11+ transfer tests being abolished. Seamus Brannigan demonstrated the flaws of the current system set out by the Butler Act while Conor McGuigan strengthened and expanded on the evident weaknesses to a grade boundary approach in marking the tests. Philip McClory argued that the current system was indeed as Newry High suggested, unfair, but only in that it was equally unfair to every child. He went on to open the argument for the Abbey with a convincing and considered look at the outcomes of the current selection procedures.

Both schools coped extremely well with an argument of which they had direct, yet very different experiences. Indeed a most positive result of this televised debate was the fact that it was the first time both schools met for this type of competition.

The Abbey students did us proud and they are all to be congratulated for their skilled performances and lucid arguments – something perhaps our politicians are still striving for. Ryan Martin suggested in his closing speech for the Abbey that politicians should not ignore the youth, they are the future. It is fitting then to also thank the large number of staff who passed on their best wishes and congratulations to the boys who took part and for me to thank the team members for their professionalism at each stage of the process; research, rehearsal, filming.

Ms A. Reynolds

Debating

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Senior Debating Final 2004

The final of the Senior Debating Competition for the Bro. McFarland Trophy took place in the school on Tuesday 20th April. The motion for dabate was: This house believes that Ireland has become a racist society. Proposing the motion were Colm O'Grady, Ruaírí Murphy, John Markey and Stephen Begley. The opposition were Daniel-Patrick Heatley, Eamonn Donnelly, Cathal Grimes and Ruaírí McAuley. The debate was chaired by Mr Pat Mooney.

The topic of racism in our society is very much prevalent in the news at the moment and the students debated the motion with a degree of passion, gusto and maturity which belied their age. The formal debate lasted about one hour and the evening was rounded off with ex tempore motions which provuded much mirth and enjoyment for the large audience

The adjuducating panel of Mr Noel Thompson (Guest Speaker), Mr Rory McShane (Competition Sponsor) and Mr Gerald Morgan (Teacher in charge of debating) agreed that this was the closest final for a number of years. In the end they decided that through a combination of confident devivery, excellent research and preparation and a subtle yet appropriate degree of wit, the best speaker was Eamonn Donnelly. Second place went to Colm O'Grady whilst Stephen Begley was third.

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Annual Senior Debating Competition

The Brother McFarland Cup

Wednesday 21st March 2001

Motion: 'This House believes that politics is all spin and no substance.

Deputy First Minister Mr Seamus Mallon was the Quest Speaker at the Brother McFarland Annual Senior Debating Competition. This competition is in memory of a Christian Brother, long since deceased, who nurtured debating, not only in the Abbey, but throughout Northern Ireland for many years. Mr Mallon also presented the prizes for this competition and for the 2nd and 4th year in-house debating competitions.

Mr Mallon praised the Abbey for its strong academic record and excellent contribution to the local community. He thanked the staff for 'providing a positive environment which has encouraged pupils to develop and grow, motivating them to meet their full potential, building their confidence and enriching their lives.'

At the end of the competition, Mr Mallon, a former pupil of the school addressed the house and spoke about his own experience of public speaking. Speaking on the motion Mr Mallon said: 'I have to disagree with this motion, Stability and security in some democracies have afforded people the luxury of believing that politics is all spin and no substance, a belief that politics changes nothing and that it doesn't count … Politics through our devolved government will face many new challenges and will have to deliver on substance to meet the public's ever higher expectations. But the basic function of politics, its core substance, will endure: to maintain humanity, decency and democracy. No amount of spin can take away from that.'

There was a very high standard of debating by all the Abbey students involved. The debate was sharp, lively and humorous and all who took part deserve commendation. Members of the Proposition were Daniel Patrick Heatly, Paul Moley, David Rocks and Christopher Gaskin. Members of the Opposition were Ciaran McAuley, Ciaran Mackin, Ultan McDonald and Christopher Rodgers.

This was a very memorable night for all present. A night on which it was remarked that the spirit of Brother McFarland was never too far away.

Photographs of Debate