Profiles of the Irish Champions

Adrianne, Rob & Liam

 Seems entirely plausible that the three Irish debating champions, upon waking from the womb, extended their right arm forward, palm up, and directed their first POI to mom: “On that point?”

 Slightly embellished timeline, perhaps, but this year’s Irish debating champions fell in love with speaking early and the passion for oratory has never left them. They are only in their early twenties, but have already amassed more than 30 combined years of debating experience.

 Early to debate, early to rise to the top! The winners have many accomplishments to adorn their CVs.

 But before we count awards, let’s introduce our Irish guests:

 Two city mice, and a country mouse

 Liam Boyce, 22, was raised in Kilkishen, a small rural village in County Clare. That’s about 20 miles northwest of Limerick, and an hour south of Galway.

 The Boyce family homestead is the Ireland of dreams and postcards. Let’s let Liam describe his home:

 “It’s a beige house with a nice front and back garden, surrounded by cattle pastures in the hilly countryside. Really nice on a sunny day (though they are rare). And we have been known to kayak in the streams and lakes nearby.”

 Liam began debating in primary school, then continuing at the University of Galway, not far from home.

 (“There once was a debater from Galway, who was stumped by a topic about Uruguay, so he whispered to partner, in a bit of a panic, and then stood up and winged it like always.” Blame Brent, not Liam.)

 Adrianne Ward, 23, a city mouse from Dublin, waited until she was 13 to fall in love with speaking, continuing on at University College Dublin (UCD). She grew up only 15 minutes from Dublin city center.

 Rob Fitzpatrick, 24, raised in the Dublin suburbs, was the late adopter, waiting until secondary school. Rob, with his partner Adrianne, is a member of the debating union at the Literary and Historical Society of UCD. He spent a lot of his summers in the countryside of County Sligo and County Carlow.

 “Regrets they’ve had a few, but then again, too few to mention.” Sinatra.

 Now to the trophies!

 Adrianne, who coaches the Irish World Schools debating team, reached semi-finals of the World Schools Debating Championship 2020. She was quarterfinalist at Oxford IV. She’s been waiting her turn at the Irish championships – reaching semi-finals in 2021, runner up in 2023, semis again in 2024, and finally victorious in 2025.

 “I had a very varied Irish Times experience!” recalls Adrianne. “My first two years were during the COVID-19 pandemic, so a lot of the debates were online! It was very bitter sweet to get runner-up in 2023, and it was difficult to go back to the competition the next year, but I’m very glad I did. It was Rob and I’s first year doing the competition together and I think we made a good pair.”

 Liam reached the Irish Times final round in 2023 before winning this year. He competed in Model UN from 2023 to 2025, winning best delegate at the 2025 KULMUN Conference. He served on the Model EU Council in 2019 and 2021. (KULMUN, a student-run association: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Model United Nations Association, since you asked.)

 Rob has an illustrious debate resume which includes twice winning awards at the European debating championships, Irish Mace, Oxford IV and the Vienna Open. He has been in three Irish Times’ semifinals before winning this year. He’s also been honored for his judging at numerous tournaments including the World Schools Debating Championship, Uhuru Worlds and Doxbridge.

 Good parents, good kids: The acorns didn’t fall far from the oak trees.

 Two of the champions are Dubliners, and one had a rural beginning.

 Adrianne’s mom is from Kerry and her dad is from Dundalk.

 “My mom is a teacher and my dad is a lawyer,” said Adrianne. “No debaters unfortunately. My brother and sister are both in UCD as well. I have two dogs, one called Luna and one called Raven.”

 Liam’s parents, as well his younger brother and sister, still live in the family homestead in Kilkishen.

 “My mother is the CEO of a youth charity in Limerick and my father is an engineer. Hurling is religion in our house, and my brother plays with the Clare U20 hurlers. My sister is in Transition Year in Secondary School.”

 Rob’s dad is a retired Garda (police officer) and his mum works in her family business. He has two older brothers and one older sister. Sports have always been a big part of the Fitzpatrick family life.

 “My parents both love golf and spend a lot of time on the course,” says Rob. “My dad is a former All Ireland Gaelic Football Championship winner, and my mum is very involved in the local church. My eldest brother Eoin lives in London with his wife, Aideen. Eoin’s big passion is rugby, and even though he’s claimed to have stopped playing, he still sneaks the occasional game for his local club.

 “My brother Hugh lives in Dublin with his partner, Sarah. He works with farmers and has a bit of a crazy mountain man look going on, with a really big beard and long hair. Sarah and Hugh spend a lot of their time chasing after their French Bulldog, Beatrice.

 “Finally, my sister Sophie, who is the closest in age to me is an Engineer and lives in Dublin. She was a member of the Trinity College Dublin College Historical society (the Hist) who are rivals of my society the UCD L&H. She wasn’t as involved in competitive debating as I am, but it’s very handy to have someone at home to chat to debating about.”

 Debating is fun but, yes, they study, too

 Adrianne, in her final year, is studying law with politics.

 “I am still deciding between being a solicitor and a barrister. In 10 years I would loves to just be established in my career, whatever I decide to do.”

 Liam, studying at the University of Galway, is in his final year and will shortly earn his bachelor’s degree in Government, which includes politics, economics and law.

 “I dream of a career in public policy or politics,” said Liam. “I adore political debate and communication. I am very interested in European affairs, so I am also looking at the possibility of a career in a European institution. Elected office is also not beyond the bounds of possibility.”

 Rob, the eldest traveler (but not yet graying), is in his second year of postgraduate study in English Literature. He studied sociology and social policy as an undergrad.

 “My career dreams change every few days, I’m very indecisive which doesn’t help with planning,” Rob admits. “I’m interested in communications, public relations and politics. I’m a keen listener to ‘The Rest is Politics’ podcast, so maybe (in my dreams) I could be the next Alistair Campbell?”

 You can’t tell a debater by her rebuttal. So what are they really like?

 The Real Adrianne:

 “I like to think I’m quietly confident,” said Adrianne. “I don’t think I’m a massive risk taker, I like to play things safe! I like crocheting and listening to podcasts. I don’t volunteer as much anymore as I used to. I used to volunteer with the homeless, to go around and give them food. I donate to Amnesty International.

 And what does Adrianne value most in life?

 “Having fun with family and friends!”

 The Real Liam:

 “I am generally a quiet person when you meet me first, and I am quite reserved,” said Liam. “But I love meeting new people. I also value time to myself and can't be around people all the time. I'm risk-averse for the most part. I'm an avid follower of politics. I'm a member of Sinn Féin and campaigned for them at the last election. I love attending Model UN Conferences. I also love to play the sport of hurling, and I continue to play with my local club in Clare. I volunteer and campaign for Sinn Féin, as well as solidarity with Palestine. I am a committee member on the Politics Society also. I am a regular volunteer with youth teams in my local GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) club.”

 And what does Liam value most in life?

 “I'm a strong believer in the values of community,” he says. “I placed tremendous importance on my involvement in activities locally in my home town, as well as communities like the debating society or my friend groups at university.”

 The Real Rob:

 “What’s my personality like? This was a hard question to answer,” admitted Rob. “So I asked my friend who said I was friendly and chatty, a bit reckless and unserious, but very loyal (mostly positive thankfully). I like reading, particularly biographies and absurdist literature. I also love sport, I used to play Rugby and Gaelic Football but still love watching all sports, and I am a big fan of Manchester United. I volunteer as much time as possible to help with schools debating. Dublin has a big homelessness issue, so I like to support charities that are combating that.”

 And what does Rob value most in life?

 “Family and friends!”

 OK, fine, but let’s get to the seed of the apricot, yes? What about food? Music?

 “I love most foods,” says Adrianne. “I’m definitely not a picky eater. My favorite is probably Chicken Tikka Masala. I sorta like folky/pop music but my favourite artists are probably Tom Odell, CMAT and Florence and the Machine.”

 “Unfortunately for my heart, I am a fast-food lover,” admits Liam. “So the US will certainly suit me. I have no particular favourite genre of music, and will generally listen to anything.”

“I like pecan pie, bananas and Guinness,” says Rob. “For music, I like an eclectic mix of Bob Dylan, Chappell Roan, Eminem, The Cranberries, The Dubliners and Olivia Rodrigo.”

 This won’t be their first visit to the states….

 “I’ve been to America twice. I went to Chicago visiting family in 2011,” says Liam. “And I went to Denver for a cousin's wedding in 2024.”

 “I’ve visited America once before in 2014,” says Rob. “I went to Boston and stayed in the city for a week, and then spent another week in Cape Cod. What stands out to me from that trip was a visit to Fenway Park and the JFK museum. The ice cream in Cape Cod was pretty good as well!

 “I first went in 2009 to Disneyland, then 2020 for two months where we went along the east coast and California,” says Adrianne. “In 2017, I was there for one month, in similar places as 2010, with Florida. I was there in 2023 for a month, joining my friends who were working in America for the summer. Last year I went to Minnesota to visit my aunt who lives there.”

 They are excited to return, to see new places and to make new friends:

 “Very excited, can’t wait to see what’s in store for us!” says Adrianne.

 “I am delighted to have this opportunity,” says Liam. “I hope it is one that is filled with opportunities to advance my personal development, as well as meet new people and make connections.”

 “I’m extremely excited to go on this tour,” says Rob. “And really thankful to everyone who makes this once in a lifetime trip happen! I’m also really excited to make new friends, have great experiences and travel with Adrianne and Liam!”

 Follow-up note: We’re confident that the trip to the Jack Daniels Distillery in Tennessee will help with your personal development, Liam.

 END