Concern Chief Executive visit highlights key role of school debating for Limerick teenagers

Concern Chief Executive David Regan (centre back) photographed at Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally with seated front row from left students Holly Sweeney, Erin Carroll, Aoife McDonagh, Holly Gilmour and Hayley O’Neill. Back row from left Patrick Huff, Sharon Bulfin, deputy principal, student Molly Flanagan, Bríd Herbert, principal, students Jessica Kenrick, Sylvia Lee, Laura Collins and students Aoife McMahon and Niamh Boland. Photograph Liam Burke/Press 22

Key role school debating is playing in the education of Limerick teenagers was highlighted when Concern Worldwide Chief Executive visited a city school

The key role which school debating is playing in the education of Limerick teenagers was highlighted recently, when the Chief Executive of the Irish humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide visited a city school.

“Debates allow people to unravel complex global issues” Concern’s David Regan said when addressing students at Ard Scoil Mhuire, Corbally. The school has been involved in the Concern Schools Debates competition since its inception almost 40 years.

“Hundreds of our students have had the opportunity to build their confidence, find their voices, and expand their perspective on the world we all live in as a direct result of the debates’ existence,” said Mr Patrick Huff, English teacher and coordinator of Public Speaking and Debating at the school.

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Mr Huff, and school principal Ms Bríd Herbert, are both former Concern Schools debaters and passionate supporters of debating culture within the school.

Mr Regan spoke to a group of fifth and sixth years students, who were involved in the school’s debating club, about his recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over six million people have been forced from their homes by fighting and many are currently living in make-shift structures in large camps. Concern’s team on the ground are providing water, toilets and shelter.

The school presented a cheque for Concern to Mr Regan during his visit. During his trip to Limerick Mr Regan also met local volunteers and supporters.  Last year almost €600,000 was raised for Concern from the public in Co. Limerick.  

Concern Worldwide has strong links with Limerick, dating back to Limerick natives, brothers Jack and Aengus Finucane who were driving forces in the development of the humanitarian organisation for many years.

Mr Regan visited the Finucane Brothers memorial bench at Barrington’s Pier.  The bench was unveiled last year in memory of the Finucane brothers, who were both previously were honoured with the Freedom of Limerick.

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