Pictured at the EDIC Soapbox competition are under & over 18 winners Laura Diver (front row second from left) & Niamh Berkely (front row centre) along with competitors, judges and MC of the event Charlie Collins.
The regional final of the Europe Direct Information Centre annual Soapbox Competition was held in the Central Library Letterkenny on October 26th. The theme of this year’s debate was “Brexit: Ireland’s Opportunity”. There were 12 contestants on the night and each gave a speech for or against the motion.
The Soapbox competition is an annual event hosted by the Europe Direct information Centre Donegal and Gaeltacht based in the Central Library Letterkenny. The centre provides information on the work of the European Union and answers questions for citizens on EU law.
The evening was expertly hosted by veteran Donegal broadcaster Charlie Collins and the speeches were marked by a judging panel of Caitlín Uí Chochláinn, Clare McNickle, vice president of the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce and Rory Gallagher manager of the Europe Direct Information Centre Donegal and Gaeltacht.
The winners in each category received an Ipad as a prize sponsored by the European Commission. The winner in the under 18 section was Laura Diver of the Keegan School of Speech and Drama. The winner in the over 18 section was Niamh Berkeley who generously donated her prize to St Columbas Secondary School on Stranorlar.
The two winners will both go forward to represent Donegal at the national finals taking place in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in November.