The 2025 annual McCarthy Impromptu Debate took place on Thursday 1 May 2025

The 2025 annual McCarthy Impromptu Debate took place on Thursday 1 May 2025. This comic debate is held annually in memory of the late Mr Justice Niall McCarthy, Judge of the Supreme Court, and his wife Barbara. Debaters are students from the Barrister–at–Law Degree course who receive the motion a few hours before the debate and are allocated a side in the debate at random. Debaters then have 5–7 minutes to argue their side.

This year, the motion was: this house believes that space travel is a waste of time. The debaters were Mary O’Rourke, Connor King, Susan Labwot and Oisin Mag Fhogartaigh. The debate was judged by a panel of Benchers before dining took place for the evening. 

Congratulations to Mary O’Rourke, who won the debate (speaking in favour of the motion) and who was awarded the prize by the Hon Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, Judge of the Supreme Court.

Well done to all who participated, and many thanks to our distinguished panel of judges! Any students interested in taking part next year should contact the Dean’s office when the 2026 date for this event is published.