The winners of the Irish Times Debate have recently returned from their tour of the US. Aer Lingus kindly flew Aoife Titley, Brid McGrath and Yvonne Campbell to the US and back for what proved to be "the trip of a lifetime".

The TCD students' tour encompassed Chicago, Denver, San Diego, San Antonio, Arkansas, Virginia and New York.

They participated in the National Parliamentary Debate Association championships in Denver and attended a gala banquet. At debates elsewhere - for example, Virginia - they were called upon to defend George W Bush's foreign policy. "It presented us with a real challenge," says Brid McGrath. The girls all praise their hosts at the various venues, and particularly overall host, Professor Brent Northup. Highlights they mention included skiing in Vail, Colorado, a trip to Seaworld in San Diego and the warm homeliness of the folks in Arkansas.