20 Nov 2025
The Central Library in Letterkenny was packed to capacity on Friday 7th November for the regional final of the 2025 Europe Direct Soapbox Public Speaking competition
We had 37 contestants from schools across Donegal and the standard was just brilliant so well done to everyone for taking part in the competition.
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.
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 1st December. We wish them the best of luck and let’s hope they bring the national prizes back to Donegal!
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)
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. We 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. There is the Your Europe service for advice on legal matters and loads more. Please follow us on Facebook at Europe Direct Letterkenny for more information.
Photo by Paul McGuckin