'Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.' Martin Luther King, Jnr.
Here in Scoil Dara we believe in our students finding their voices. We have an excellent track record in debating and public speaking, with many of our students representing the school at national level in recent years. Junior and senior debate club is a vibrant and inclusive space for students to thrive. Public speaking opportunities are presented to all our students throughout the year. Spoken word poetry has really taken off in Scoil Dara, with our students writing their own poetry and performing at county and all-Ireland events.
This thriving public speaking and debating scene is a highlight of Scoil Dara for many of our students.
Recent achievements include:
- Kate Maher Cup winners 2025, 2024, 2023
- Fás Finalists 2025 and second place 2024
- Trinity College Infodumping winners 2024
- Poetry Aloud semi-finalists 2024
- Action Aid finalists 2024
- Soroptimist Ireland finalists 2024
- Child Talks speakers 2023, 2024, 2025
- Concern Debates top 16 2023
- Aoife Begley NUIM winners 2022
'Those... speeches are magical. They develop your thinking and many other skills. It changed me a lot... In a very good way.'
Sarah Panakal, past pupil, Soroptimist finalist, Poetry Aloud semi-finalist and Kate Maher Cup winner.