The Literary and Debating Society (often referred to as Lit and Deb) is the oldest and most prestigious society at the University of Galway. Founded in 1846, it is currently in its 179th session. At the inaugural meeting of the society, John J. Gibson outlined to the assembled masses that the purpose of the society was to "elicit the latent sparks of genius in a few individuals, and send forth men of enlightened views and cultivated tastes", with those men issuing "forth from this hall, who, vying with the great spirits of the past, shall illumine the future." Lit & Deb has, since then, been a force for the provocation and entertainment of the student body, its weekly debates, guest speakers, comedy and literary events offer and enriched university experience outside of the confines of the lecture theatre and academia.
Core to the principals of Lit & Deb is the principal of freedom of speech. Everything from politics and human rights to literature and medical ethics are fair game for discussion inside the walls of the Literary and Debating Society. Unfortunately, it is this commitment to freedom of speech that means the Society is never very far from controversy. In fact, the university has banned the society from campus on two separate occasions. For many years, the discussion of controversial topics could only take place in the chambers of the society, due to the mainly conservative university authorities.
Following a brief period of exile from the university when a meeting once led to riots and dueling, the society returned to continue hosting debates on issues of topical and perennial importance. Although duels are less common, the intensity and passion of debate in the chambers of the modern society is no less.
Of equal importance to the society is the inclusiveness of its forum. 15,000 registered students and staff members automatically become members of the Lit & Deb and gain speaking privileges on entering the university. Thus we are the only true forum for students on campus. Private Members Time takes place before the main business of the society; any member of the student or staff body may propose any motion they wish. Provided the motion is seconded, and then opposed, an impromptu debate will follow. We host meetings in this format every Thursday night during term.
Lit & Deb have many records to their name. With the election of Clare Fitzgerald in 1942, the society was the first student society in the world to elect a female auditor.
Also, the first paper to be delivered by a woman in the university was also delivered under the auspices of the Literary and Debating Society. In the 1980s Lit & Deb broke the World record for the longest continuous debate. Having lost it later that decade, the society broke the record again in 1995, a record they still hold to this day, after speaking for 28 days, 24 hours a day, (or the entire month February) on the motion "This House Has All the Time in the World."
The society has a strong involvement in external university debating also, with several winners of the Irish Times Debating Competition and even the World University Debating Championship among its alumni. Lit & Deb annually represents the Galway at national and international competitions in other universities including; Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow, Istanbul, Vancouver, Tallinn and Bangkok. The society also contributes to the debating calendar by hosting an annual debating intervarsity, The Irish National Law Debates (INLD) whereby over 150 speakers and judges descend on the University of Galway campus from the four corners of Ireland and further afield.
The modern society is as committed to the evocation of the "latent sparks of genius" in the student populace today as it was in 1846, but the topics of discussion have changed. Lit & Deb's members have, in their history, pondered the benefits of colonialism at the zenith of British power, discussed the technological advances of the Victorian era and examined the implications of fascism in Western Europe. The society has welcomed the likes of Nancy Cartrwright, Anjem Choudary, Noam Chomsky, Nell McCafferty, Bruce Morrison, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Mary McAleese, Warren Ellis, Max Brooks, Jeremy Irons and Catherine Connolly - to name but a few - in recent years.
The society is dedicated to creating a community of open minded individuals through the holding of weekly debating workshops, literary events and formal floor debates, giving a voice to students of the University in any matter which inspires them to speak in the Kirwan Theatre.
Literary and Debating Society,
Áras na Mac Léinn,
University of Galway,
H91 RTR6,
IRELAND