The L&H was founded in 1854 by Cardinal John Henry Newman, who believed that the true purpose of a university was to provide a forum within which students from a diverse range of faculties could meet, converse and debate the contentious issues of the day. Every Wednesday evening, students, lecturers and international experts are pitted against each other to debate the contentious issues of today;
the legalisation of prostitution, whether austerity works or not, whether we should believe in a god, among many others. Our House Debates are hosted in the purpose-built Garret FitzGerald Chamber. As well as House Debates, the L&H also awards the Honorary Fellowship (also known as the James Joyce Award) of the Society to outstanding individuals at the forefront their fields. These people come to address members of the society, and past recipients include Bill Browder, Noam Chomsky, Emeli Sandé, Will Ferrell, Armando Iannucci and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. A full list can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joyce_Award
The James Joyce Maidens and Maidens Mace competitions, run in Semester One and Semester Two respectively, welcome students who have not debated at college level before to develop their skills in a friendly and relaxed environment. Tea and Toast, which runs every Thursday of the year, offers you free breakfast and a chance to chat with our Committee and fellow students. As well as all of this, the L&H runs the best nightclub and social events in UCD. Join us in Orientation week for Proposition, the first college night out, and for an even bigger night during Freshers' Week. Also on the cards is an unforgettable Strauss Ball- forget your debs or any other college ball, Strauss is a Ball like no other! Make sure to like this page and follow us on Twitter () to keep up to date with all of our events!
