The Hist - Guinness World Record’s oldest student society Luke Fehily, BA (2021), Auditor 250th Session, reflects on the Hist’s journey, its impact, and the honour of being recognised as the world’s oldest student society The College Historical Society, commonly known as ‘the Hist’ The ethos of the Hist, codified in its Laws and upheld through has long been the main centre of independent intellectual weekly meetings and debates, embodies Trinity’s commitment discourse and rigorous debate among students. Established to free thought and expression. The weekly Wednesday debate in March 1770, inspired by Edmund Burke’s Club of 1747, it and many international debating competitions serve as a has now achieved yet another remarkable milestone: official training ground for Hist members to improve their reasoning recognition by Guinness World Records as the world’s and communications skills. In June 1840, Thomas oldest student society in continuous existence. Davis, a founder of the Young Irelanders and then President of the Society, delivered a speech The foundation of the Society was a seminal claiming that the utility of a debating society The greatest moment in the now long-standing tradition of was in its ability to remedy the defects of of all schools student organisation. From initial gatherings a university education. 180 years later, in of oratory of 13 students who, in March 1770, created an Irish Times article commemorating the a platform for dialogue and exploration, the Society has grown in stature, influence, and Senator Ted Kennedy Society’s 250th Anniversary, former Tánaiste Mary Harney echoed this sentiment stating tradition. The debating unions of Cambridge, that debating with the Hist was instrumental Oxford, and Durham were later modelled on the in allowing her to better understand different Hist, as the principles of student engagement spread perspectives and enhance her critical thinking. from Trinity to other universities. Today, with constructive, and sometimes contentious debate, the Hist continues to promote The Society, having been named by Senator Ted Kennedy as the once radical idea that student voices should be encouraged ‘the greatest of all schools of oratory’, has through its members and heard. and alumni exerted significant influence on pivotal moments in Irish history. This influence is observed in revolutionaries Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone who both served as Auditor of the Society, in discussions on Irish Home Rule in the 18th century, and in the Society’s debates on political and social change through much of the 1900s. The rich tapestry of the Hist’s history boasts notable figures who have left indelible marks on the world stage. FH Boland, a prominent figure in the mid-20th century, went on to become the President of the United Nations General Assembly where he may well have met fellow Hist alumnus Jaja Wachuku, first foreign minister of independent Nigeria. Isaac Butt, Bram Stoker, Edward Carson, Oscar Wilde, and Douglas Hyde were prominent in the Hist – Samuel Beckett was a member and spoke occasionally, perhaps a portent of his preference for brevity. Conor Cruise O’Brien, a diplomat, politician, writer, historian and academic, speaking to the Society as a student in 1939 Recognition by Guinness World Records is a nod to the continuing oratorical excellence, free inquiry, and interdisciplinary debate that to this day prepares Trinity
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