Roll of former champions
The Literary & Historical Society, University College Dublin and the College Historical Society, Trinity College Dublin, are tied for the debating society with the most victories, 23 apiece. While the Hist have won the team competition 13 times to the L&H's 11, the L&H has won the individual competition 12 times to the Hist's 10. University College Dublin has won the competition more times than any other third level institution (27 victories) with Trinity College Dublin close behind (26 victories).
The winning team receives the Demosthenes Trophy and the winning individual receives the Christina Murphy Memorial Trophy.
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| Year |
Team |
Individual |
| |
Society |
Speaker 1 |
Speaker 2 |
Society |
Speaker |
| 2009 |
Hist TCD |
John Gallagher |
Andrea Mulligan |
L&H UCD |
Jeremy Kinsella |
| 2008 |
Hist TCD |
Christopher Kissane |
David Kenny |
L&H UCD |
Stephen Boyle |
| 2007 |
Hist TCD |
Ciaran Denny |
David Boughton |
King's Inns |
David Quinn |
| 2006 |
King's Inns |
Barry Glynn |
Mark Murphy |
Philosoph UCC |
Diarmuid Early |
| 2005 |
King's Inns |
David Whelan |
Sam Collins |
L&H UCD |
Frank Kennedy |
| 2004 |
DCU |
Ian Kehoe |
Michael Moriarty |
King's Inns |
Paul Brady |
| 2003 |
L&H UCD |
Leo Mulrooney |
Colm Coyne |
Hist TCD |
Alison McIntyre |
| 2002 |
Hist TCD |
Louis Mooney |
Brendan Kelly |
Philosoph UCC |
Conor Buckley |
| 2001 |
Hist TCD |
Bríd McGrath |
Yvonne Campbell |
Hist TCD |
Aoife Titley |
| 2000 |
King's Inns |
Michael Deasy |
Ronan Mullen |
SADSI |
Louise Rouse |
| 1999 |
L&H UCD |
Caoilfhionn Gallagher |
Bernadette Quigley |
King's Inns |
Rossa Fanning |
| 1998 |
Philosoph UCC |
Muireann Ní CinnÉide |
Elizabeth Barrett |
Hist TCD |
Paul Gleeson |
| 1997 |
Debating Union UL |
Seamus Doran |
Padraic O'Halloran |
SADSI |
Matthew McCabe |
| 1996 |
King's Inns |
Helen Boyle |
Paul McDermott |
Hist TCD |
Douglas Clarke |
| 1995 |
Philosoph UCC |
Alan Roberts |
Diarmuid Conway |
Philosoph UCC |
Gerry Hyde |
| 1994 |
L&H UCD |
Dara O'Briain |
Marcus Dowling |
King's Inns |
Bernard Dunleavy |
| 1993 |
Hist TCD |
Brendan Foley |
Gavan Titley |
Philosoph UCC |
Kieran Healy |
| 1992 |
L&H UCD |
Johanna Farrelly |
Pat O'Keeffe |
Law Soc UCD |
Cian Ferriter |
| 1991 |
King's Inns |
Tim O'Leary |
Pat Treacy |
L&H UCD |
Barra Faughnan |
| 1990 |
Philosoph UCC |
Brendan Lenihan |
Don O'Sullivan |
Cadet School |
Tom Clonan |
| 1989 |
King's Inns |
Maeve Collins |
Pat Twomey |
Law Soc UCD |
Julian Clare |
| 1988 |
Philosoph UCC |
Adrian Hunt |
Tim Murphy |
Philosoph UCC |
Robert Plant |
| 1987 |
Hist TCD |
Aidan Kane |
Paul Gavin |
Lit & Deb UCG |
Conor Bowman |
| 1986 |
Phil TCD |
Declan McCavana |
David Keane |
Lit & Deb UCG |
Brendan Wilkins |
| 1985 |
Philosoph UCC |
David Holland |
Bryan Hassett |
Hist TCD |
Gideon Taylor |
| 1984 |
Hist TCD |
Eoin McCullough |
Brian Murray |
L&H UCD |
Pat Whyms |
| 1983 |
Lit & Deb UCG |
Eoin O'Maoileoin |
Damian Crawford |
Hist TCD |
Bill Maguire |
| 1982 |
Phil TCD |
Michael Byrne |
Gerry Foley |
Philosoph UCC |
Liam Plant |
| 1981 |
L&H UCD |
Charlie Meehan |
Gerry Stembridge |
Hist TCD |
Sean Moran |
| 1980 |
L&H UCD |
Maurice Biggar |
Eugene McCague |
King's Inns |
Brian Havel |
| 1979 |
Law Soc UCD |
Conor Gearty |
John O'Donnell |
L&H UCD |
Maurice Biggar |
| 1978 |
Law Soc UCD |
Conor Gearty |
Donal O'Donnell |
King's Inns |
Turlough O'Donnell |
| 1977 |
Maynooth |
Pat Hennessy |
Gerry Maher |
L&H UCD |
Patrick Healy |
| 1976 |
L&H UCD |
Paul Gill |
Gerry Danaher |
Maynooth |
Deirdre Murphy |
| 1975 |
NUU |
Michael Hughes |
Kevin Cahill |
King's Inns |
Brian Curtin |
| 1974 |
Hist TCD |
David O'Sullivan |
James Connolly |
NUU |
Alex Lowry |
| 1973 |
QUB |
Billy McCrory |
Jimmy Hughes |
L&H UCD |
Adrian Hardiman |
| 1972 |
Hist TCD |
Donnell Deeny |
Frank Bannister |
Hist TCD |
Donnell Deeny |
| 1971 |
Hist TCD |
Donnell Deeny |
Gregory Murphy |
Bolton Street |
Marian Finucane |
| 1970 |
L&H UCD |
Neal Clarke |
Donal O'Riain |
L&H UCD |
Adrian Hardiman |
| 1969 |
QUB |
Brendan Keenan |
Derek Davis |
Philosoph UCC |
Anthony J. Adolph |
| 1968 |
L&H UCD |
Roddy Buckley |
Dermot Gleeson |
L&H UCD |
Henry Kelly |
| 1967 |
Philosoph UCC |
Donnchadh Ó Corráin |
Anthony J. Adolph |
King's Inns |
Kevin O'Higgins |
| 1966 |
Hist TCD |
David McConnell |
Cian Ó hÉigeartaigh |
L&H UCD |
Esmond Smyth |
| 1965 |
Hist TCD |
David McConnell |
Cian Ó hÉigeartaigh |
QUB |
Eamonn McCann |
| 1964 |
L&H UCD |
Patrick Cosgrave |
Anthony Clare |
King's Inns |
Terry McMahon |
| 1963 |
L&H UCD |
Patrick Cosgrave |
Anthony Clare |
RCSI |
Desmond King |
| 1962 |
QUB |
John Murtagh |
Michael Bowes Egan |
Hist TCD |
Ian Blake |
| 1961 |
Phil TCD |
Hallam Johnston |
Jack Daniels |
L&H UCD |
Peter Donnelly |
| 1960 |
King's Inns |
Aidan Browne |
Charles Lysaght |
Hist TCD |
Neville Keery |
