LATER TODAY, six students will fight it out to be crowned the winner of The Speech at a major debating competition in Dublin.

For the competition, students were asked to deliver a speech from history or popular culture, giving reasons for the choice before producing and presenting it.

Whittled down from hundreds of entries across the countries, there will be winners in the junior and senior categories.

The winners will be announced today during the Matheson Junior Debating National Mace in Blackrock College. There, 80 top debaters will go through intense round of competitions hoping to become the Best Speaker in Ireland.

Organiser Catherine Duplaa has given TheJournal.ie a sneak peek at the six finalists in the speech so our readers can have their say.

Which of the speeches is your favourite?

Jack Synnott

Jack is a 3rd year student from St. Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda. His speech – The Rings of Akhaten – is from from Dr. Who.

(Teacher Ms. Barbara Carr)

Joseph Catlett

Joseph is also is a 3rd year student from St. Oliver’s Community College. His speech is ‘To This Day’ by Shane Koyczan.

(Teacher Ms. Barbara Carr)

Alex Healy

Alex is a 2nd year student from Lucan Community College. She was also a finalist in last year’s competition. Her speech is Malala Yousafzai’s Noble Peace Prize acceptance.

(Teacher Ms. Sarah Van Esbeck)

Patryk Kazimierczak

Patryk is a 6th year from Archbishop McHale College in Tuam. His speech is ‘The World is Coming to an End’.

(Teacher Ms. Louise. Flaherty)

Irene McDonnell

Irene is a 5th year student from St. Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda. Her speech is ‘The Great Dictator’ by Charlie Chaplin.

Adina Zago

Adina is a TY student from Mount Mercy College, Cork. Her speech is ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Which of the speeches is your favourite?

Read our ‘Favourite Speeches’ series including Michael D Higgins, Martin McGuinness and Enda Kenny