What is the Hist?

The Hist, founded in 1770, is officially recognised as the oldest student society and debating society not only in Ireland, but the world, inspiring the Unions in Cambridge, Oxford and Durham. In 2023, the Hist was awarded the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ Record for the Oldest Student Society. Since our inception, the Hist has promoted student discourse and debate for over 250 years, giving students a voice and teaching them how to use it. Throughout its life, the Hist has had many prominent members who have gone on to have great impact in Ireland and overseas, including Theobald Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet, Henry Grattan, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Douglas Hyde, Mary Harney, and Sally Rooney. Now, the Hist continues to provide a platform for students to voice their opinions and engage with others through our traditional weekly Chamber Debates, as well as through new avenues like competitive debate, schools outreach, panel discussions and more. With over 10,000 members, a large alumni network, and a central location on campus in the Graduates Memorial Building (GMB), the Hist is a huge community where many students make lifelong friends and memories.

Our Events

Chamber Debating

Our traditional Wednesday night Chamber Debates are the highlight of each week! Students meet with each other and external guests to debate a motion in the GMB’s Debating Chamber, with four speakers on each side. Our debates are uniquely interactive, even for the audience, with any student being able to offer a Point of Information to the speaker.

Guest Speakers

Alongside inviting guests to our debate, we also invite a number of noteworthy people to address the society on their topics of expertise or passion, from authors and scientists to politicians and activists. Past guests have included George R. R. Martin, Michael D. Higgins, Natalie Dormer, Desmond Tutu, and Noam Chomsky.

Competitive Debating

Competitive Debating has grown massively in popularity throughout Europe and globally, and the Hist has enjoyed major success at every level, having finalists at the European and World Championships. We compete at competitions in Ireland and abroad, and host both internal competitions for our members and external competitions with international attendance.

Robinson Subcommittee

The Robinson Subcommittee, named after Irish President Mary Robinson, organises panel discussions with outside guests and Derbies of Rhetoric, where students give independent speeches around a central theme. These events focus more on cooperative discourse, and are often an easier entry point for newer members.

Schools Debating

To bring debating to more and more students, the Hist hosts a number of Schools Debating competitions, and engages in outreach with a variety of schools from different areas. We run two one-day Mace competitions every year and work with our friends in the UCD Literary & HIstorical Society to run the year-long Leinster Schools debating competition.

Social Events

As well as debating and public speaking, the Hist runs a number of Social Events every year our members can get to know each other better and blow off some steam! Highlights include the Hist Ball and Histmas party among a number of smaller events throughout the year, with plenty of events in Freshers’ and Refreshers’ Weeks.