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The University College Dublin Economics Society is a group that promotes engagement with economics while promoting a feeling of community in the college among students interested in Economics. The society has over 700 members drawn from different faculties in the college.Individuals who have addressed the society include Governor of the Irish Central Bank Patrick Honohan Economists David McWilliams and Prof Morgan Kelly.
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Legal & Economic Society
The Society was first established in 1911 as the Legal & Economic Society. The prominent professor and politician, J.G. Swift MacNeilll, gave the inaugural address. Founding members included Thomas Kettle, Conor Maguire, Thomas Arkins and Arthur Cox. The Society ran a number of small debates in its early years and struggled to maintain its activity during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. In the 1930s the Legal and Economic society split into the University College Dublin Law Society. The Economic Society was founded again in 1968. But later disbanded until being refounded in 2013.
Activities
The society hosts a range of events including guest speakers, panel discussions and debates. The societies flagship is the Thinking Big two-day conference hosted in the Fitzgerald Chamber started in 2013. This looks at biggest challenges facing Ireland and the world. Speakers at this years event included Lucinda Creighton, Professor Ron Davies and Habitat for Ireland CEO Vince Cunningham.
Guest speakers and Honorary Life Memberships
The society regularly invites speakers to address the society. Recent speakers include Minister for State Simon Harris, Nobel laureate Eric Maskin and Leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan.
Thomas Kettle Award
The Society presents an Honorary Life Membership called Thomas Kettle award in honor of Thomas Kettle. Who in 1908 was the first Professor of National Economics at University College Dublin and also one of the founders of the Legal and Economics Society. He later died leading a company of his men on 9 September 1916, aged 36, during the Battle of the Somme in France.