A school's Debs, also called Grad or Grads, is the formal ball for students in their final year of secondary school in the Republic of Ireland, analogous to the prom in North American schools or the school formal in Australia. It is most commonly referred to as the "Debs" but some schools call it the "Grad" or "Grads". Each school organises its own ball, which may take place during the school year, immediately after the Leaving Certificate examinations in June, or after the results are announced in August. Some schools have a smaller "pre-debs" some months before the debs. However, schools in Tralee hold their Debs in the first two weeks of January.
Participation
Some students may worry about being invited or finding a date, but many attend with friends or in a group. Whether the female asks the male, or vice versa, is irrelevant. Males are usually dressed in black tie, while females often wear formal gowns or dresses adorned with a corsage. While formal attire is traditional, it is not required for entrance. It is customary for males to purchase a corsage, flowers or a box of chocolates for their dates.
Organisation
A Debs or Grads is often organised by someone other than the school itself. Traditionally, a student committee is created within the school to organise the event in collaboration with select teachers. Events companies provide paid services for a majority of the event-planning activities. The events are usually held at a hotel or other large function room. A Debs is usually, though not always, a formal dinner, followed by music. Alcohol is almost always served. Traditionally there is a photographer present, who will take individual shots of each couple and throughout the event. It is not uncommon for the event to last all night, with some attendees returning home the following morning, or going for breakfast together. Sometimes the hotel will provide breakfast.
Controversy
There has been some minor controversy from the name "DEBS ball", at a hearing between Judge Desmond Windle and a school solicitor from Newpark Comprehensive for their regulations of their Debs, the word was deemed "nonsensical" and "absurd", the judge showed particular disdain for the term as he believed that its introduction to Ireland derived from English monarchs grandiose purchase of attire, despite the word "debutante" being French in origin. Local news outlets in 2012 and 2013 published articles featuring the money spent by females, spending an average €695-€825 on the night, including their dresses. These events face criticism as these nights are often forgotten as a result of the heavy focus on alcohol.
