Students set ‘brilliant’ standard at public speaking competition in Letterkenny

The Central Library in Letterkenny was packed to capacity recently for the regional final of the 2025 Europe Direct Soapbox Public Speaking competition. 

A total of 37 contestants from schools across Donegal took part. Organisers have praised the “brilliant” standard set by contestants.

The topic for debate this year was, “Is it time the EU banned social media for under 16’s?” Pupils had three minutes to argue for or against the motion and some very lively presentations were heard.

A spokesperson said: “Congratulations to the winners, Cassie Lambe from Loreto Letterkenny, winner in the 16 and under category and Nikolas Govka from Crana College winner in the 17 and over category who both received an Apple iPad. Cassie and Nikolas will now go forward to represent Donegal in the National Final of the Europe Direct Soapbox Public Speaking in Dublin on December 1. We wish them the best of luck and let’s hope they bring the national prizes back to Donegal!

Soapbox 51: Nicolas Govka from Crana College (1st place in the 17 and over category) receiving his Apple iPad from Dr Gillian Kennedy (Policy & Research Manager European Movement Ireland)

“Well done to the runners up for their excellent presentations: Annabel Breslin, 2nd place 16 and under, Olan Doogan-Bellec, 3rd place 16 and under, Conor McShane, 2nd place 17 and over and Sarah McHugh and Riley Doherty, joint 3rd place in the 17 and over category.

“Many thanks to our wonderful judging panel of Dr Gillian Kennedy, Policy & Research Manager European Movement Ireland, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Vice President for Youth, Culture & Tourism in the Assembly of European Regions, and Dr Aoife Hill, Lecturer in Computing at ATU Letterkenny.”

Soapbox 48: Cassie Lambe from Loreto Letterkenny (1st place in the 16 and under category) receiving her Apple iPad from Dr Gillian Kennedy (Policy & Research Manager European Movement Ireland)

All prizes were sponsored by the European Commission and Donegal County Council.

Europe Direct Letterkenny is located within the Central Library and provides brochures, leaflets, and information about opportunities to work, study and travel within the EU. They hold events, provide access to PC’s and also a link to the Europe Direct Contact Centre which provides a free telephone and email service on all UE related matters.

READ NEXT: Establishment of the new Donegal Local Community Safety Partnership

The Your Europe service is available for advice on legal matters and loads more. Follow on Facebook at Europe Direct Letterkenny for more information.

Soapbox 53: Back row - Kim Sterritt, (Senior Library Assistant Central Library), Dr Aoife Hill (Lecturer in computing at ATU Letterkenny), Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh (Vice President for Youth, Culture & Tourism in the Assembly of European Regions) and Kevin McCaul (Manager of Europe Direct Letterkenny). Sitting – Cassie Lambe, Dr Gillian Kennedy and Nicolas Govka.

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Bhí an Lárleabharlann i Leitir Ceanainn lán go doras ar an Aoine 7 Samhain do chraobh réigiúnach de Chomórtas Óráidíochta Poiblí Europe Direct Soapbox. Bhí 37 scoláire as scoileanna ar fud an chontae san iomaíocht agus bhí ardchaighdeán amach is amach ann.

Tá moladh mór tuillte ag gach duine a ghlac páirt sa chomórtas. Ba é an téama a bhí le cíoradh i mbliana ná “An bhfuil sé thar am ag an Aontas Eorpach cosc a chur ar na meáin shóisitala do dhaoine faoi 16bl?”

Tugadh trí bhomaite do scoláirí labhairt ar son nó i gcoinne an rúin agus cuireadh go leor tuairimí i láthair go fuinniúil. Comhghairdeas leis na buaiteoirí, Cassie Lambe ó Chlochar Loreto i Leitir Ceanainn (buaiteoir sa rannóg faoi 16bl) agus Nikolas Govka ó Choláiste Cranncha (buaiteoir sa rannóg os cionn 17bl). Bronnadh iPad Apple ar an bheirt acu mar dhuais. Déanfaidh Cassie agus Nikolas ionadaíocht do Dhún na nGall anois ag an Chraobh Náisiúnta de Chomórtas Óráidíochta Poiblí Europe Direct Soapbox i mBaile Átha Cliath ar an 1 Nollaig. Guíonn muid gach rath agus ádh orthu. Táimid ag súil go mbeidh siad ag filleadh ar Dhún na nGall agus gradaim náisiúnta leo.

Tréaslaíonn muid leo sin a tháinig sa dara agus sa tríú háit agus a chuir iad féin i láthair go maith (Annabel Breslin, 2ú háit faoi 16bl, Olan Doogan-Bellac, 3ú háit faoi 16bl, Conor Mc Shane, 2ú háit os cionn 17bl agus Sarah McHugh agus Riley Doherty 3ú háit (roinnte) sa rannóg os cionn 17bl).

Buíochas mór don phainéal moltóirí, an Dr. Gillian Kennedy, Bainisteoir Polasaí & Taighde, Gluaiseacht na hEorpa in Éirinn, Mícheál Ó hÉanaigh, Leasuachtarán a bhfuil freagracht ar leith aige as an Óige, Cultúr agus Turasóireacht le Tionól Réigiúin na hEorpa, agus an Dr. Aoife Hill (Léachtóir sa Ríomhaireacht in OTA Leitir Ceanainn).

Rinne an Coimisiún Eorpach agus Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall urraíocht ar na duaiseanna uilig.

Tá Europe Direct i Leitir Ceanainn lonnaithe sa Lárleabhlann agus cuireann siad idir bhróisiúir, bhileoga agus eolas ar fáil faoi na deiseanna oibre, staidéir agus taistil atá ann taobh istigh den AE. Bíonn imeachtaí ar siúl acu, cuireann siad rochtain ar ríomhairí ar fáil chomh maith le nasc chuig Lárionad Glaonna Europe Direct a chuireann seirbhís saorghlao agus ríomhphoist ar fáil i gcás aon rud a bhaineann leis an AE. Tá an tseirbhís ‘Your Europe’ ar fáil fosta le comhairle a chur ar dhaoine faoi chúrsaí dlí agus go leor eile. Is féidir ‘Europe Direct Letterkenny’ a leanúint ar Facebook le tuilleadh eolais a fháil.

Grianghraif le Paul McGuckin