Coláiste na hInse student Aoife Forkin was awarded the prestigious title of “Best First Year Speaker in Leinster” at the Leinster Final of the Matheson Junior Debating National Mace.

The Matheson Junior Debating National Mace is the largest debating competition on the island of Ireland, with over 300 students participating in Leinster alone.

The Leinster Final took place in Castleknock Community College on Saturday March 10th, where the top 80 speakers in Leinster competed for a coveted place in the national final. Students took part in three debates over the course of the day. Following the grand final, Aoife was announced as the best first year and will be one of three Leinster first years representing their schools in the national final on April 21st .

Ms Forkin will be joined by Liam Walker from Colaiste na hInse and Chidindu Chikwendu from Gormonston College representing Meath in the national final.

This article was written by Anthony Murphy