Trinity College’s Historical Society has won its second Guinness World Record (GWR) after completing the world's longest marathon debate.

Some eight members of the society, also known as the Hist, debated for 28 hours from 10am yesterday to 2pm today. 

They debated 26 topics, taking motions previously debated over its 253-year history.

Motions included “Should Nobility be Hereditary?” from the 1810s and “This House Believes the #MeToo Movement is Succeeding”. 

Members of the Historical Society breaking the record for the longest marathon debate. Image: Ellen Kenny

Hist Auditor Áine Kennedy said everyone is “very tired, but very delighted” to achieve the world record. 

“It was such a team effort,” she said. 

“Everyone really came out to support us – at 6am, people were running to McDonald’s, people were getting Red Bulls left, right and centre. 

“It was really nice to see everyone supporting each other like that.” 

Members of the Historical Society breaking the record for the longest marathon debate. Image: Ellen Kenny

Hist member Mary Alice Woods was one of the eight speakers and said speaking for 28 hours was “an interesting mix of adrenaline rushes and absolute crashes”. 

“Right about 7am is where we all really wanted to die and call it quits,” she said. 

“We just had to power through – it would have been a shame to waste all of those speeches we had written and edited.” 

This is the Hist’s second world record, having been recognised as the world’s oldest student society last month. 

The society has held several events to celebrate this record, including a panel discussion with previous Hist member Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. 

Main image: Hist members nearing the 28th hour of their marathon debate. Image: Ellen Kenny

Ellen Kenny is a current member of the College Historical Society.