GAA and Debate (Pictures added)

Thursday April 22

Justin Chu

The day started like the rest, meeting in the canteen before class. The boys and I were killing time before we headed off for our respective classes. After we came back from class, we saw a presentation of the Belvedere exchange trip to Hong Kong. It was very fast-paced, and highly enjoyable even without the sound, and it was a good eye-opening experience for some of the guys. Anyway, after the lecture, we all headed off to another set of classes. For about an hour and a half after our classes we helped the Teaching English as a Foreign Language program or TEFL. We helped some foreign nationals with some fairly entertaining and exciting games of Scrabble. As is the custom in Ireland, tea and biscuits were served. Belvedere students hold weekly classes to help new immigrants learn the language and customs of Dublin. After another outstanding lunch in the “canteen,” we all headed off to Croke Park. Although some were more enthusiastic than others to head off to the great Gaelic Athletic Association stadium, the tour of the park exceeded everyone’s expectations. The amount of history in the stadium, which hosted its first final (championship) in 1896, is enormous.
Each stand had a name related to the history of the GAA, including the Hogan Stand.
The playing field is the size of two full American football fields and is beautifully kept by the grounds crew. This place has the same kind of history as Fenway Park and is a shrine to Irish sports. After the park tour we headed back to the Belvedere lecture hall which was pretty packed with students waiting for a debate. This event was the highlight of the day.
We had been preparing all week to argue in favor of the resolution: “That this House believes that every country should have the right to possess nuclear arms.” Representing our team was Jack Topham, Dinesh McGinty, Jack Nee and Justin Chu. After a lively hour long battle of words, wit, argument, logic and style the judges declared Belvedere the victor and Justin Chu was awarded best speaker.
When the debate ended we all headed back to the canteen for juice and biscuits to discuss the debate and have some laughs about the day.