LitTalk: In Conversation With Diona Doherty

On Tuesday, 13th May 2025, at 19:00, 0G/074 in the Lanyon Building hosted the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society's sixth LitTalk of the 176th Session. The event featured Diona Doherty, Northern Irish comedian and actor.

During the event, attendees had the chance to listen to an interview with Ms. Doherty conducted by Jess Donohue, On-Air Deputy Head of The Scoop at Queen's Radio. Following the discussion, participants were given the opportunity to pose questions to Ms. Doherty.

Thanks for listening!

175th Anniversary Alumni Reunion Bonus Content

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! A special binus recording of a gathering that occured during the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society!

The House convened on Saturday the tenth of May 2025 as part of the 175th Anniversary Reunion Dinner festivities to observe a panel discussion on the past, present, and future of the Society! This recording documents what followed that panel and concluded the evening - toasts, many expressions of gratitude, and much drunken rambling!

Thanks for listening!

175th Anniversary Alumni Reunion Panel

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! A special recording of a gathering that occured during the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society!

The House convened on Saturday the tenth of May 2025 as part of the 175th Anniversary Reunion Dinner festivities to observe a panel discussion on the past, present, and future of the Society! The panel was hosted by Secretary of the Society Trust Ryan Hoey, and featured Eternal Leader, Refounder of the Society, and President of the 163rd Session Paul Francis Shannon; Chair of the Society Trust, former Pro Vice Chancellor of QUB, and Professor-Emeritus of Education Tony Gallagher; and Outreach Officer of the 170th Session, Secretary of the 171st Session, former Vice President Campaigns and Engagement of QUBSU, and former NUS-USI President Chloe Ferguson.

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes Queen's Prepared Us For Life After University

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The third special meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened as part of the 175th Anniversary Reunion Dinner festivities to discuss the motion, "This House Believes Queen's Prepared Us For Life After University".

Speaking for the Proposition were Jonny Finlay, Rebecca McMinn, Daniel Toft, and Olcan McSparron, and speaking for the Opposition were Matthew Sullivan, Cllr. Dr. Stephen Goss, Tailte McSparron, and Dermot Hamill.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Introductory video

(00:02:01) Order, order!

(00:02:53) The Eternal Leader

(00:05:03) Private Members’ Business

(00:07:40) Presidents’ Questions

(00:13:00) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:14:57) Rules of the Debate

(00:15:55) Jonny Finlay, First Prop

(00:24:07) Matthew Sullivan, First Opp

(00:31:58) Rebecca McMinn, Second Prop

(00:37:27) Cllr Dr Stephen Goss, Second Opp

(00:45:51) Daniel Toft, Third Prop

(00:53:45) Tailte McSparron, Third Opp

(01:00:16) Olcan McSparron, Fourth Prop

(01:07:48) Dermot Hamill, Fourth Opp

(01:16:57) The Vote on Speaker Ability

(01:18:02) Closing remarks

(01:19:23) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes the PSNI is Not Fit for Purpose

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The twenty-third and final ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes the PSNI is Not Fit for Purpose".

Speaking for the Proposition were Gavin Booth, James Tourish, and Rea Thien, and speaking for the Opposition were Jon Burrows, Fintan Lawlor, and Jonathan Massey.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:36) Minutes

(00:07:37) Announcements

(00:08:17) Private Members’ Business

(00:19:22) President's Questions

(00:24:54) Speaker Introductions

(00:26:07) Rules of the Debate

(00:27:22) Gavin Booth, First Prop

(00:36:50) Jon Burrows, First Opp

(00:44:47) James Tourish, Second Prop

(00:51:25) Fintan Lawlor, Second Opp

(00:58:19) Rea Thien, Third Prop

(01:05:17) Jonathan Massey, Third Opp

(01:13:29) The Vote

(01:15:02) Closing Remarks from President-Elect Daniel Devenney

(01:21:09) Farewell Address from President Dermot Hamill

(01:24:27) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

This House Believes Trump's First 100 Days Have Been a Success

Hello, hello, one and all! And welcome to this! The twenty-second ordinary meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The House convened to discuss the motion, "This House Believes Trump's First 100 Days Have Been a Success".

Speaking for the Proposition were Jonathan Massey, Veronica Lam, Liam Harte, and Matthew Shanks, and speaking for the Opposition were Hugh Child, Jack Murray, Thea Karkera, and Noah Ralphs.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:00:32) Minutes

(00:07:25) Announcements

(00:08:12) Private Members’ Business

(00:14:55) President's Questions

(00:22:17) Vote of Prior Opinion

(00:23:45) Rules of the Debate

(00:24:50) Jonathan Massey, First Prop

(00:32:28) Hugh Child, First Opp

(00:41:00) Veronica Lam, Second Prop

(00:47:51) Jack Murray, Second Opp

(00:54:32) Liam Harte, Third Prop

(01:00:16) Thea Karkera, Third Opp

(01:08:34) Matthew Shanks, Fourth Prop

(01:15:53) Noah Ralphs, Fourth Opp

(01:23:51) Questions from the House

(01:31:45) The Vote

(01:33:05) Announcement Recap

(01:34:15) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

Annual General Meeting Of The 176th Session

Hello! Hello! And welcome to this! The annual general meeting of the one hundred and seventy-sixth session of the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! On this particular occasion, the House convened to elect the council for the next academic year.

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Order, order!

(00:01:04) Presidential Report

(00:02:17) Constitutional Amendments

(00:37:54) Bestowment of Honorary Life Memberships

(00:43:03) Election for President

(00:53:26) Election for Vice President

(01:01:07) Election for Secretary

(01:06:38) Election for Treasurer

(01:20:44) Election for Internal Convenor

(01:31:43) Election for External Convenor

(01:41:11) Election for Schools Convenor

(01:51:02) Election for Events Officer

(02:09:14) Election for Social Officer

(02:18:45) Reopening of Bestowment of Honorary Life Memberships

(02:23:08) Closing Motion and Remarks by the President-Elect

(02:24:49) Meeting adjourned!

Thanks for listening!

The Irish Times Debate Final 2018

Hello! Hello! And welcome to this! The Irish Times Debate Final hosted by the Queen's University of Belfast Literary and Scientific Society! The event took place on the evening of Friday the 23rd of February 2018 in the Riddel Hall, and was the first time since the refounding of the Literific in 2011 that the Society had the privilege of hosting the final round. On this particular occasion, the House convened to discuss the motion of "This House Believes Ireland Has Failed Its Youth". 

Timestamps as follows:

(00:00:00) Prof Adrienne Scullion, Opening Remarks

(00:03:24) Calvin Black, Timekeeper and Literific President, Opening Remarks

(00:05:48) Janine Ryan, Convenor, Opening Remarks

(00:10:18) Mr Lord Justice Ben Stephens, Chair, Opening Remarks

(00:11:44) Sandi Ndebele, First Prop

(00:19:30) Niamh Egleston, First Opp

(00:27:26) Cian Leahy, Second Prop

(00:35:33) Daniel Gilligan, Second Opp

(00:43:29) Russell Nairn, Third Prop

(00:51:13) Lewis Shanahan, Third Opp

(00:58:18) Amy Crean, Fourth Prop

(01:06:21) Patrick Lavelle, Fourth Opp

(01:14:10) Kevin Brennan, Fifth Prop

(01:22:28) Rory O'Sullivan, Fifth Opp

(01:30:23) Aodhán Peelo, Sixth Prop

(01:38:10) Ronan Daly, Sixth Opp

(01:46:58) Convenor Remarks

(01:56:05) Paul O’Neill, Closing Remarks

(01:57:41) Announcement of Winners

(01:59:30) Meeting Adjourned!

Thanks for listening!