DLA Piper backing for intervarsity debate
Global law firm DLA Piper is to be the inaugural presenting partner of the Irish Times debate, Ireland's oldest and most prestigious intervarsity debating competition, for the 2026/27 season.
Running continuously since 1960, the debate is an all-island competition open to every full-time third-level student in the Republic and the North.
Its objective is to promote excellence in oratory and debating.
This marks the first time in the competition’s history that it has collaborated with a presenting partner.
The partnership covers the full season – from the opening rounds in late October through to the black-tie Grand Final on Friday 26 February 2027.
Trophies
DLA Piper will present the trophies at the grand final, which will be chaired by Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC, a former winner of the competition.
This year's competition is convened by Ciara McLoughlin, who won the Demosthenes Trophy for King's Inns in 2024 with Ceara Tonna-Barthet.
Former winners include Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell, late Supreme Court judge Adrian Hardiman, Ambassador of Ireland to Germany Maeve Collins, human-rights lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, the late broadcasters Marian Finucane and Henry Kelly, and comedian Dara Ó Briain.